“Did you grow up here in town?” Bastion asks before I can respond.
I shake my head and set the mug down when it grows too hot against my palm. “No, I grew up in Tennessee.”
“What made you move here?”
My mouth twists as I consider how much to tell him, but there’s no harm in him knowing all of it. It’s not a secret or anything. “My dad was in a car accident about four years ago, and thoughhe’s okay now, it took a long time for him to recover. He still walks with a cane as a result of his injuries.”
Bastion frowns. “I’m sorry.”
That old familiar ache in my chest when I remember that night returns—when I wasn’t sure that he’d make it, and then when I knew he’d survive, listening to the doctor describe the extent of his injuries.
“He worked really hard to recover, but it took a long hospital stay and a lot of surgeries and rehab afterward. Once he had the all-clear to return to work, he started looking for a new job that paid more than the one he had.” When Bastion gives me a questioning look, I explain. “My parents were left with a lot of medical debt as a result of the accident. So when he was offered a good job here, it just made sense for them to relocate.”
“And you followed?” He lifts the mug to his lips.
“That probably makes me sound like a child, doesn’t it? I’d finished college by then.” I look down at my hands on my lap.
“It makes you sound like a woman who loves her parents very much.” There’s a slight edge to his voice. Maybe he doesn’t have a good relationship with his parents.
I meet his gaze. “They’re the most important thing in the world to me, so yeah, I followed. Got a job here, and I do what I can to help them pay the bills.” I shrug.
He blinks several times, almost as though he’s surprised. “That’s very generous of you.”
“I do what I can.”
Bastion nods slowly.
“So all that to say, I’ve only lived here for a few years myself.” I take a sip of my hot chocolate, cradling it between my hands.
“Do you like it here?”
I sigh because I’m not sure I know the answer to that question.
“I take it that’s a no?” He arches an eyebrow, which I’ve found is something he does quite often.
“It’s not that, it’s just…” Do I explain to this man, whom I enjoy talking to, how awkward I can be? Is that going to ruin the entire thing that’s happening between us? Is there something happening? I inwardly sigh. I’m not meant to do things like I am right now. Then I remember Taylor telling me to own who I am and not pretend to be someone I’m not, so I do. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that I can be a little socially awkward.”
He shakes his head. “No. You’ve been great company both times we’ve chatted.”
My face heats again, and I say a small prayer that Bastion can’t tell that I’m blushing. “I don’t make friends easily, so moving here has been somewhat… isolating.” I shrug, not wanting to make it a big deal.
“I find that surprising,” he says. “Have you tried joining any clubs or community organizations? What about church?”
I bring my mug to my mouth and take a sip. “I do attend church, have most of my life, but if I’m honest, I miss my old church. The people at my current church are wonderful,” I’m quick to add, “but most of them have been here their whole lives. I can’t help but feel a little like I don’t belong, no matter how nice they are to me.”
“What about dating apps?”
I give him a horrified look. “I’ve seen enough videos online to know they’re not for me.”
“I probably shouldn’t have assumed that you don’t have a boyfriend. It’s just that you mentioned feeling isolated, so if you do… I have to say, I don’t think he’s a very good one.”
We both laugh. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him if he has a girlfriend, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
“No, no boyfriend.” Rich’s face flashes through my mind, and I push away the mental image. “Anyway, suffice to say this town is lovely. I think I would just enjoy it more if I could get out of my head and find a group of friends to enjoy it with.”
“Makes sense. Do you follow football?”
His sharp change in topic jars me for a moment, but I appreciate him offering me the out. “I do, actually.”
