Page 72 of Safe With You

Joel gave him a pointed look. “I figured you needed it.”

Ethan sighed. Of course, nothing stayed secret for long in their family. “You talked to Becca, didn’t you?”

“I may have investigated why you’re here at my job site and not working on Katie’s shelves.”

He couldn’t blame Joel for wondering. It was very out of character for him.

His brother reached over to lower the tailgate, and they both sat and unwrapped their burgers. Ethan took a bite of his. He appreciated his brother for getting his favorite. Ice cream was a good comfort food, but a greasy bacon cheeseburger was even better. They both chewed silently until Joel asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Ethan stared at his burger for a moment. “Everything just got really complicated after the wedding.”

“Sorry things didn’t work out like you hoped.”

“Well, she’s got a boyfriend, so I shouldn’t have hoped in the first place.”

“Technically, you had feelings for her first.”

“A lot of good that does when he’s the one who’s been dating her the last three years.”

Joel wadded up his burger wrapper and tossed it into the bag. “You’re better for her than the doctor kid.”

Ethan snorted. “You sound like an old man calling everyone kid.”

“Anyone your age or younger is a kid to me.”

“Well, thanks for the sentiment, Grandpa.” He managed to smile at his brother. “And thanks for the burger.”

Katie rubbed the base of her neck, struggling to focus on the fabric in front of her. Two days in a row, she’d woken up with a headache. Crying last night probably hadn’t helped. Even after talking to Ethan yesterday morning and trying to clear things up, he still seemed to avoid her. She’d told herself he had a legitimate excuse not to work on her shelves yesterday, but his text this morning that he would be gone working with Joel today all but confirmed her fears.

To make matters worse, Drew had tried to call her yesterday afternoon. She’d made up a weak text excuse for not calling him back, and guilt weighed heavily. But what would she say when they did talk? She had to be honest about her feelings for Ethan, but what then? Was there even the possibility he’d still want to be together? Did she still want to be together? She kept hearing Grandma’s words from when she asked for dating advice.

“You be sure, Katie, dear. Even a year is a long time to spend with someone you aren’t compatible with.”

A tear rolled down her cheek, and she scrubbed it away. If only she could talk to Grandma. She really needed her right now to sort through all the confusion. She and Drew had been together for a long time, yet it was unraveling so fast. Maybe she’d just been swept up in the romantic atmosphere at the wedding and her feelings weren’t even real.

But that didn’t explain the moment the day before the wedding.

She groaned and prayed desperately for wisdom and direction. Why couldn’t everything go back to how it was a week ago? Before she had to examine what was really in her heart.

Her phone rang, sending an electric jolt through her body. Drew’s ringtone. Her mouth went dry, her heart beating erratically. She froze in crushing indecision. But she couldn’t just keep ignoring him. The fallout would not get any better if she avoided it. Best to face it and get it over with.

She drew a shaky breath as she picked up the phone and accepted the call, cringing at his voice and the guilt it produced.

“Hey, did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, you didn’t.” Katie closed her eyes and rubbed her neck again. “I was just trying to pick out a fabric for a project.”

“Good. I have something I wanted to discuss with you.” His upbeat, excited voice only added to her shame.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Maybe she should stop him now and tell him all about the wedding, the dance, and her confused feelings. But she couldn’t seem to form the words, so she let him continue.

“You know those nice apartments just down the street from my parents?”

“Yeah.” She hung her head, knowing where this was going.

“Well, they have two openings. I checked it out yesterday. Shockingly, rent isn’t much more than you paid in Elling. And I made sure they allow cats. It’s an extra fee but not outrageous. It would be a great neighborhood to be in.”

The hope in his voice cut deep. How was she going to turn him down?

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