“I might have changed…”
“From what you told me, you weren’t out of the closet to your family back then.”
“No.” A pout now graces his pillowy lips. “I wasn’t.”
“So if you’ve changed since then, what makes you think he hasn’t?”
“I…”
I hold up a hand. “Look, Jameson. Before you go casting judgments, meet him. If you think there’s an ounce of that man inside of him from five years ago, I will cut him off without a second thought. But please, meet him?”
“Do I have to?”
“For me.”
Jameson rolls his eyes at me. “Ugh. Fine. Only because I love you.”
I wish his words calmed me more, but they don’t.
Because what if Derek hasn’t changed? What if he puts on a good image when you first get to know him and then he turns out to be a massive dick?
Wouldn’t be the first time it happened to me.
I fire off a text without thinking.
We need to meet. Now.
Chapter Eight
DEREK
Leave it to Sutton to send me a cryptic text. Here I thought we were having a fun and flirty conversation when I get a message about needing to meet.
Had I not sensed her urgency, I would have put it off until tomorrow because my parents are busy tonight. I hate calling in the nanny when she’s already been with Troy all day, but she didn’t mind.
Thank God.
The diner that Sutton messaged me to meet her at is old-school. I found an empty, red booth in the back. Black-and-white checkered floors are gleaming. A jukebox is playing an old Elvis song. It smells like burgers and frenchT fries.
I swivel my phone in my hand, watching the door. Every time the bell chimes, I look for Sutton. But as the minutes tick by, I get more worried she won’t show up.
“You want anything while you wait, dear?” An older woman with bright blue hair stands at the end of the table.
“I’ll take a Coke if you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing.” She shoots me a wink before heading behind the counter to grab a plastic red cup and pour me a drink.
“You doing okay tonight?” she asks, setting down a straw next to me.
“I’m not sure yet.” It’s the only answer I can give, because it’s the truth. “I hope so.”
“Well, cheer up. Don’t go borrowing trouble.”
I laugh as she moves on to the next table, taking their order. My insides are already all mixed up when it comes to Sutton.
One date. We’ve only had one real date and I’ve already fallen for this woman. It’s why I’m here so late.
If only she would get here.
