He blurts out the words as if he’s afraid I’m going to hang up. “This isn’t a date. I’m helping my brother. He had two dates and?—”
A laugh that almost sounds hysterical bursts out of me. “Two dates. Geez, nice. Look, I’m not interested, Miller. I know last night was a lie.”
“It wasn’t a lie. Everything I said to you was true.”
I laugh again. “And I probably would believe that if I didn’t see you dancing with another woman. Look.” I take a deep breath. “I’m done. This is not my thing. I’m not a jealous person, and I have no rights to?—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it, Lindsey, because you have every right. I was with you last night, and even though nothing verbal was said, there were promises in that kiss.”
I look up into the starry sky. “No, it was just a kiss, Miller. A way to pass the time. Please don’t call me again.”
I hang up before he can talkme out of it.
My phone instantly starts to vibrate, and so I just shut it off.
I get into my car and drive toward home. Instead of going to my apartment, I walk further down the walkway and knock on my sister’s first-floor apartment. She opens the door, smiling, but when she sees my face, she looks worried. “What’s wrong?”
I tilt my head. How do I explain that my heart is broken after one date? It’s ridiculous. I sound ridiculous. But either way, it hurts all the same. “Can I come in?”
She pulls me into the apartment where Eli is sitting on the couch. As soon as he sees me, he jumps up and runs into my arms. I have to catch him, and when I do, I fall back into the chair. “Aunt Lindsey! You’re here.”
I laugh even though it’s the last thing I want to do. “Yes, Eli. I’m here. How did baseball practice go today?”
His eyes are so wide it’s obvious he’s excited. “My coach said I’m going to be the lead off hitter.”
I hold my hand up for him to high-five. “Way to go, buddy. That’s awesome.”
He’s smiling ear to ear, and seeing my nephew so happy lightens me up a little bit. “You have to make sure I get your game schedule. I’m going to be at all your games.”
He’s so excited, and my sister has to say his name twice to get his attention. “Okay, bud. It’s time to get in the shower and brush your teeth.”
He takes off running and stops. “Lindsey, will you read me a book before I go to bed?”
“I sure will.” He pumps his hand in the air and runs through the apartment.
My sister settles on the couch and pulls a pillow against her chest. “I see how loyal he is. His cool aunt shows up, and I’m discarded like yesterday’s trash.”
I roll my eyes. “Please, he loves you, and you know it.”
She smiles widely. “I know.” She gestures to me. “What’s wrong?”
I blow out a breath. “I met a guy. We went out last night and?—”
Tammy holds her hand up. “Hold up. Stop right there. You went on a date last night?With who?”
I lean against the couch. “Miller Brody.”
Tammy shakes her head and then somehow pieces it together. “Wait. The Miller Brody? The gazillionaire?”
I resist rolling my eyes again. “He’s not a gazillionaire.”
Her mouth drops open. “You went out with Miller Brody, and this is the first I’m hearing of it?”
I point at her. “I tried calling you today, and you couldn’t talk.”
She nods. “I was teaching. Oh my God, Lindsey, wait, why do you look like”—she points at my face—“that? Did something happen? Is he a jerk?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Actually, last night I would have said he’s the exact opposite. The date was…” How do I tell her how perfect the date was? As if I was counting down the minutes to see him again. “It was good, and I got my hopes up. It was stupid.”
