14
“My lease is up next month, so I think it’s time to look for a different apartment,” Dylan said to Amelia, trying to sound casual as they put together the lunch trays for the August birthdays in the staff break room.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, disbelieving. “Is Rae moving too?”
“No.”
“Then why would you move?” Amelia turned to face him.
“Because I blabbed it all yesterday.” Dylan still felt sick about it, but he knew it had to be this way. “And Rae rejected me.”
“What?” Amelia took his arms and stared into his face as though she thought he were lying to her. “There’s no way she turned you down.”
“Believe me,” he said, his voice flat. “She did.”
“But I don’t understand.” Amelia dropped her hands, her expression troubled. “She’s in love with you, Dylan. Iknowit.”
“Sheis; she told me so.”
“Then how can she have said no?”
“Because she’s never going to marry anybody,” Jason Lee said as he entered the room followed by a man Dylan didn’t recognize. Lee shrugged. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to intrude, but this is kind of important stuff. Let me introduce a friend of mine. His name is Tim Gallo. I used to date his sister. He knows Rae.”
“You’rethatTim?” Dylan asked, tilting his head to study the man.
“What do you meanthatTim?” Amelia asked.
“Rae’s gone out with him a few times.” Dylan had to work to keep the bitterness from his voice. “She’s enjoyed your dates. I hope you’re not getting too attached to her though.”
Watching with interest, Lee leaned against the counter and stole one of the carrots from the vegetable tray. Amelia smacked his hand. For the first time, Dylan wished Mr. G. had announced to the staff about the ownership change that was in the works. Maybe Lee wouldn’t be looking so smug if he knew his job could be on the line.
“We’re only friends,” Tim said, studying Dylan. “Have you ever heard of Dr. Aurora?”
“Oh, no,” Amelia said with a groan.
“Who’s she?” Dylan asked.
“An advice radio host,” Amelia said. “She’s a licensed therapist, and her show is syndicated. I’ve listened to her a few times, but I’m not a fan. She’s a little too rigid on a lot of issues. One thing she’s firm on is that people with children who find themselves single again shouldn’t get involved until after their children are grown.”
“That.” The Tim guy nodded. “Rae told me this Dr. Aurora said most of the dangers for abused or murdered children came from new boyfriends or spouses. This doctor lady says children have the right to a good home where they’re loved and are the center of attention. A new man or woman in the home puts that in danger. Rae said that’s why she wouldn’t let another man into her life. She was quite emphatic about it when she mentioned it to me.”
“Why were you talking marriage to her?” Dylan asked, fighting against his rising jealousy.
“Rae brought it up on our first date. She said she wanted to set expectations up front,” Tim said simply.
“She mentioned it to me too,” Lee said.
How had Rae discussed this with two men but never once with Dylan? He felt betrayed.
“Oh, get off your high horse,” the salesman said. “She only told me because she wanted to hassle me about flirting with a lot of women but never having a girlfriend. Rae was trying to mother me. I have my own issues, man, and I know it.” Lee’s expression turned troubled. “She actually painted a pretty gruesome picture for me as an old man.”
“Did she?” Amelia asked, her brows raised in that nosy way she had.
“Don’t go there, but thank you very much for your interest,” Lee’s tone had turned sarcastic. He turned to Dylan. “While Tim and I were headed to lunch, we realized we both knew Rae.”
“Why were you talking about her?” Dylan asked, crossing his arms.
The usual smug expression Lee wore around Dylan disappeared. “I happened to mention I have a coworker who was in love with a widow who listened to Dr. Aurora. Tim made the connection.”
