Page 134 of River Wild

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Just …” He blows out a breath. “I didn’t just stop here by chance.”

“I know. You said you were out for a walk because Hope was being fussy.”

“No. I mean, she was. But that’s not why I came in the diner to see you.”

“Okay. So, why did you?”

“Well, I actually came to see Sadie.”

“Sadie?” I glance over at her, confused, and then back to River.

“Yeah … I, uh, I wanted to ask her for a favor.”

“Which is?” I’m also kind of wondering why he’s telling me this right now.

Then, a thought, like the thudding of a dumbbell dropping on me, hits.

Oh no. He’s not … with Sadie, is he?

No. Surely not.

I’ve never seen an inkling of anything like that between them. He barely speaks to her, to be honest.

And Sadie knows we’re not together, together, but she’s aware of my feelings for him. A girl needs someone to talk to about these things.

And Sadie would never break the girl code.

I think.

“Well … I was going to ask Sadie if”—I don’t think I want to hear this.Would it be childish of me to stick my fingers in my ears right now?—“she would watch Hope tonight while I take you out for dinner.”

What?

“What?”

“Dinner, Red. You and me.”

“You want to take me out for dinner?” I say slowly.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He gives me a look that says I should already know the answer. “Because you’re my girl, Red.”

My heart literally skips a beat. I’m his girl.

“I am?” I say through a mouth that feels like it’s filled with cotton.

“Yeah. And guys take their girls out on dates.”

“Uh, River … did I miss a step or something?”

“Nope. We’ve kissed twice.”

“Yes … but … the first was when I was still pregnant with Hope, and the second was right after she was born. And there’s been nothing since. Not even a hint of anything between us. I figured …”

“What?”