Page 50 of For Fox Sake

“Then after Mia had the transplant, she moved back to Dull?”

I spear a bite of mashed potatoes. “Yes. A couple years later. I stayed behind for college.”

He wipes his mouth with a napkin. “Did you plan on moving back to Dull after graduation?”

“No. I never wanted to come back. At least, not permanently. Dull has never really felt like home to me. But when Mia got pregnant and started having complications, I had to return.”

“Why didn’t you go back to Ithaca after Ari was born?”

“Mom got sick. She didn’t want to leave Dull. Mia and Dad are buried here and...” I trail off and shrug. What other choice was there?

Music fills the space, a slow, folksy song. The band is only two people, a man and a woman on guitar and piano, harmonizing together with limited instruments, so the volume isn’t overwhelming. Couples trickle onto the dance floor, swaying slowly.

He watches me, his lips turning down. “I have to admit, I’m a little irritated on your behalf that your dreams were put on hold—not because of Mia or your mom, they couldn’t control the circumstances any more than you could. It’s complete bullshit you couldn’t follow your dreams, you know? Sometimes you can do everything right and still lose out and it’s just...” He shakes his head. “It’s so unfair.”

I stare at him, struck speechless by his understanding, by his ability to verbalize thoughts and emotions I’ve had for years, but have been unable to express. It is unfair. Life can be so unfair.

He is definitely getting laid tonight.

Chapter Fourteen

Jake

Her cheeks pinken. She sets her fork down, her eyes dipping down to her lap before lifting to mine. “You’re right. It is unfair. But saying that, or even allowing myself to admit it feels like it’s somehow dishonoring what my family has gone through. How could I have been selfish about nursing school when my baby sister was sick and dying? How can I blame my mom for being sick and incapable of caring for herself?”

I reach over. I have to touch her. I put my hand over hers. “You can’t. I know.”

A surge of understanding and recognition passes between us. It’s like a silent conversation. Time stands still. I can’t tear my gaze away. It’s more intimate than a kiss. We’ve been kindred spirits all along.

The moment is so intense, I can’t help but laugh.

Then we both laugh.

She swallows and shakes her head, her eyes shifting down to her handbag. “Excuse me for a minute. I need to call Ari to say good night before it gets too late.”

“Of course.”

She winds through tables, and as soon as she rounds the corner toward the restrooms and disappears from view, I rub my hands down my face.

Did that totally freak her out as much as it freaked me out?

I’m telling her everything. Maybe when we’re on our way back home. No, not while I’m driving. I don’t want her to feel trapped, and she might want to get as far away from me as possible.

As soon as I park the truck in front of her house, I’ll tell her. Just put it out there. Then she can yell and scream and hit me in private before running away and possibly evicting me.

I have to find a way to make it up to her.

I like her. So much. Too much.

We have this... connection. I can’t even explain it. Telling her the truth is going to ruin it, but I can’t keep it from her. Not anymore.

The waitress comes back with the check, and I pay it before Ryan returns. I hope she is okay. Hopefully everything is okay with Ari.

I glance around the room until my eyes snag on Ryan. She’s standing beside a table halfway between our table and the entrance, talking to someone.

Her smile is strained, even from this distance.

I scan the table’s occupants. It’s the couple from the hospital, her ex-boyfriend and fiancé.

---