“Tore up the aisle trying to get away. Her bridesmaids chased after her, but it was a lost cause. She was a really fast runner.” He could see the humor in it now, but back then...
“I’m so sorry.”
So was he. He should’ve gone with his gut instinct and called things off the night before. But he’d been afraid of what the guests would say, of being accused of going back on his word.
“The whole mess showed me I couldn’t trust myself in the relationship department. I’ve been too chicken to try again since then.”
“Or maybe you just needed time to heal.”
“Thirteen years’ worth?” His brows raised.
Erykah shrugged. “Could be. Besides, who am I to judge?”
“Goahead. I’m sure many people would.”
“No.” Erykah shook her head. “I meant what I said quite literally. I’ve never dated, so I have no right to judge someone in that area.”
Had he heard her right? “You’ve never been on a date?”
“Never.”
“But you’re so smart! Not to mention gorgeous. How come a guy hasn’t asked?” And did those comments sound ridiculous now that he’d voiced them out loud?
“Oh, I didn’t say I’ve never been asked. I said I’ve never been on a date.” She paused, a look of concentration on her face. “Growing up with parents who were addicts made me crave stability. Studying for school to get good grades to get into med school to have a reliable job was vital to me. Taking care of Ellynn until she graduated from high school and giving her a stable environment was essential, because I didn’t have that when I was growing up. Once I devoted myself to my career, I figured my job was too unpredictable in the beginning to start a relationship. There just never seemed to be a right time to jump into the pool.”
Chris wanted nothing more than to ask her out. The words were on the tip of his tongue, except now she was grieving the loss of her family.
Still not the right time.
Twenty-Seven
Chris’s mom was here.
I stood on the last step before reaching the main floor, watching as she and Chris shared a hug. Indecision had me rooted to the spot. If I went to the main landing and introduced myself, would she find it weird? Intrusive? Could I somehow get to the kitchen to prepare Ash’s bottle before his mom even saw me?
As if he could hear me thinking, Chris stepped away from his mom and caught my gaze. He tilted his head, an invitation for me to come closer, but I couldn’t move. Meeting someone’s parent seemed like next-level relationship stuff. Even though we were only friends, I couldn’t ignore the what-ifs that lived rent-free in my mind. What if I had changed my to-go order and sat down with Chris instead of leaving like a coward? What if I had flirted intentionally at the governor’s dinner and let him know I was interested? Or what if we had kissed in the parking lot of the Garden of the Gods?
It was all too much for my mind to process. Considering I was living in his basement, it seemed like crossing an imaginary line to tell him I wanted to see if we could move past friendship. Nothing about our timing felt right...
Ever.
Did that mean it was just supposed to stay a friendship? And if so, wasn’t it totally normal to know your friends’ parents?
I walked onto the landing and into the living room.
“Mom, this is my friend Erykah.”
His mom spun around so fast I was surprised she didn’t just keep spinning. The look on her face was so comical I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep the laughter in. I wouldn’t say she had stars in her eyes, but I could practically hear her thoughts:A woman!
I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Gamble.”
“And how nice it is to meet you.” She held my hand between both of hers, glancing over her shoulder at Chris. “Are you ... are youlivinghere?”
Yep. She was trying not to have a fit. “Temporarily. Chris is letting me and my nieces stay in his basement while I house hunt.” What kind of relationship did she have with Chris that he hadn’t shared this fact yet?
“Oh, are you new to the area?”
“She lives in Colorado Springs, Mom. Her place was too small for her needs, and she’s searching for a bigger place.”
