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No response seemed to be the theme of her life these days. After Bryce had left the hospital, she’d hardly had any contact with him. Sure, things got busy for her—with a new case and a new partner.
But he couldn’t just disappear from her life. Not after all they’d gone through. Not after their declarations of love. She needed him.
She thought he needed her too.
But what if he decided pursuing a long-distance relationship wasn’t worth it? She’d refused to call and text him endlessly and allowed him space to make the next move.
She pulled up her last text to him.
When can we meet up in person? I miss you.
The only response had been We’ll meet in person soon. I promise.
Two days had passed. That was all. No plans made, no calls or texts. Just a See you soon, pal generic message.
Had she read their relationship wrong? Absolutely not.
She tossed the phone onto the table, and it jangled the silverware. “I should have known better,” she mumbled.
Their relationship had started in a time of crisis. They’d forged a connection based on their circumstances. But with her newfound trust in God, she refused to concede to the thoughts that told her Bryce had left her because she wasn’t enough.
She wouldn’t allow herself to go there ever again, and replaced the lies with truth.
The waitress stopped at her table. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’d like to order some chips and queso, please.”
The woman nodded and scurried off with a bin of used dishes she’d confiscated from an empty table.
Kira might as well drown her feelings with cheese dip.
Her phone vibrated with a text from Violet. “Finally.”
Everly and I won’t be joining you today. But we’ve got a surprise for you. Just look up.
Up? She raised her gaze. At the wood beams on the outdoor patio ceiling?
And then she spotted him.
Bryce.
Her heart thudded a faster beat. He strode down the sidewalk toward her. His jeans and well-fitting sweater made him look more like that famous soccer player than the overly serious FBI agent specializing in art crimes.
Bryce opened the patio gate and stood in front of her table. “Is this seat taken?”
She smiled. “Apparently my conniving roommates aren’t going to show up today.”
He laughed, a sound that melted away some of the doubts about their relationship. He sat down in the chair next to her and threw her a mischievous wink. “What can I say? Everyone has their price, and Violet and Everly’s is chocolates from the finest DC chocolatier.”
Kira crossed her arms. She wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily. “You could have texted back.”
He sighed. The waitress came back with the chips and queso, and Kira noted her sudden interest in Bryce. The woman was a little too flirty while taking their orders. She returned in seconds with three bowls of salsa and a drink he hadn’t ordered.
Kira bit back a smile. “Do you ever get tired of all the attention from women?”
“All I want is the attention from one woman. And I did text you back. I said we’d talk in person. I’m not having a relationship with a phone. But the last few days have been a whirlwind.”
“Right. One vague text with no information. Way to make me overthink everything.”
