“I know. But what else is going on? Because I can hear it.’
“I didn’t even say anything,” I repeat. Sometimes being a twin has its drawbacks.
Like when my brother wants to poke around in my head.
“It’s a woman,” Dylan states.
I sigh. “Yes. There’s this new girl in town and she’s funny and interesting and sexy as hell and…”
“And?”
“She thinks I’m too serious.”
“She said that?”
“She said I’m serious. I guess I added the ‘too.’”
“So you don’t actually know how she feels.”
“I can tell,” I insist.
Dylan snorts. “Oh, yeah, women just love it when you try to tell them what they’re thinking or feeling. Just like you would if she assumed anything about how you’re feeling.”
I remain silent. He has a point but I’m not willing to admit it.
“Just talk to her. And you are a serious guy but some women respond to that strong silent type, you know. Go for it and see how it all shakes out. Don’t end it before it’s even started.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Yes. Just like it was easy for you to tell me to go for it with Lauren and I’m glad damn I listened to you. Lauren is my person. Who knows who this woman might be in your life? Do you want to risk never finding out?”
“No.” The idea makes my fist tighten. “This feels so damn impulsive though.”
“You’re not running off to Vegas to get hitched. You’re talking about dating her. Right? Unless you do want to run off to Vegas, in which case I say tell me when so I can buy a plane ticket to stand up as your witness.”
To my complete shock the idea of doing something so outrageous doesn’t horrify me. Or make me shut down. Or want to run away and hide out in a rick house by nothing but bourbon barrels.
That’s all I need to know.
I need to talk to Winnie.
Now. I need her to know that I’m in.
Except she’s not in the diner when I burst through the door after ending the call with Dylan. The teens are there either.
I spin on my heels, ready to find her, when I realize I have no idea where her new apartment actually is. I turn back, desperate.
The clock is ticking and I feel like I’m on the verge of blowing the best relationship I might ever have before it even gets started.
Lucy eyes me over her cup of tea. “Looking for Winnie?”
I nod. “Yes.” I practically shout the word.
Her eyes widen. “Damn. You’ve fallen for her already, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” This time I speak firmly, with less volume. Not frantic, with conviction. “Do you know where her apartment is?”
“You should probably know where a woman lives before you sleep with her,” Lucy comments.
