“I wouldn’t doubt it. I have a feeling he’s not going away until he gets the answer he wants.”
“Did you tell him he doesn’t have a chance?”
“No, because he hasn’t actually asked me to get back together. He’s hinted at it and I don’t know why he’d have come to Marietta and worse, is talking about staying if he doesn’t want to get back together.”
“Again, what’s the problem? Once he asks you, tell him to go to hell. Or tell him now. Problem solved.”
When she didn’t speak, Sam asked, “Are you falling for Phil again?”
“No. Some things can’t be put back together. My marriage to Phil is one of them.”
“Then tell Phil how you really feel. It’s obvious he came here to win you back. He doesn’t have to put it into words. His actions speak clearly.”
Sam was right. She needed to tell Phil to get lost. She didn’t want Phil. She wanted Connor, even if she wasn’t ready for the commitment he wanted.
She sighed and said, “Connor asked me to move in with him. He wants to buy a house and live together.” Sam simply looked at her. “I said I didn’t think I was ready.”
“That’s valid. You haven’t been with him that long or divorced for all that long either.”
“Ha! Connor thinks because I didn’t immediately jump into living with him it means I’m still hung up on Phil.”
“Why?”
“The first night we were together—what was supposed to be a one-night stand—I told him I wasn’t over Phil and I might even have taken him back if he’d asked. So naturally Connor thinks I’m still in love with Phil. Especially because I don’t want to move in with him yet. And because I haven’t made Phil leave yet. He thinks ‘I’m not ready’ is just an excuse.”
“Is it?”
“Not in the way he thinks it is. I’m scared, Sam. Phil and I were happy at first. It wasn’t until the last couple of years that things got bad. Even so, I was shocked he cheated on me. I didn’t see it coming.”
“And now you think Connor might do the same thing.”
“He hasn’t given me a reason to believe he’d cheat. But you know what his reputation was before me. I’m afraid to take the chance. Originally we said we were exclusive but casual. We weren’t supposed to get serious or fall in love.”
“He’s changed the rules.”
“Yes. And I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose him. I love being with him. He’s fun and he’s sweet, and he’s thoughtful. At work he’s professional. He never crosses the line at work.”
“That all sounds good. How’s the sex?”
Sierra laughed. “Trust you to ask that. It’s great. Really great.”
“Are you in love with Connor or aren’t you? That’s what you need to figure out.”
“I—” She started to say she didn’t know. But that would be a lie. “Yes, damn it. I’m in love with him.”
“Are you still in love with Phil?”
“No.”
“So the problem isn’t Phil. The issue here is that you’re not ready to move in with Connor.”
“I guess.”
“Tell Connor. Tell him you love him but you don’t want to move in together yet.”
“What if he won’t listen to me?”
“Make him. Show him you love him even though you don’t want to live together yet.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“I never said it was. But if you love him it’s worth it.”
