Page 39 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"Robert had to leave early yesterday," she finally says. "I told him I'd prune these zinnias for him. Since we're leaving at noon, I figured I'd come out here before Noah wakes up. Olivia is inside making Denver omelets for breakfast."

"You spend a lot of time out here. I always know where to look when I can't find you."

"I love gardening," she says, wiping her brow with a gloved hand as she stands up. "My backyard back home was my sanctuary, away from my mother's constant berating."

When she looks at me, I see that a spot of dirt has smudged her face, but she's never looked more beautiful.

Without thinking, I gently wipe her face with my thumb, letting my hand lightly rest on the crook of her neck. Her skin is warm and smooth.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I say, putting my hand down.

"I better head back inside," she says. "I have to take a shower before Noah wakes up."

"Okay," I say, watching her walk away.

"Are you coming?" she asks. "I'm sure there's an omelet with your name on it waiting for you inside."

I follow her into the kitchen, feeling like a total hypocrite for calling her a child just a few days ago when, right now, the only thing I can think of is how much I'd like to kiss her.

***

"You're awfully quiet," Sharon says, sitting next to me on the ride to New York. The van my parents bought last week is spacious and comfortably seats all of us with room to spare. Noah is blissfully napping in the seat in front of us.

"I don't want to wake up Noah," I whisper in her ear, but the truth is she makes me nervous. God, she smells good.

"Jon," Mom's voice from the front of the van quickly snaps me out of my trance.

"What is it, Mom?"

"Susan called you last night, but it was late. I have no idea how she got our number."

"That might have been my fault," Dad says. "I spoke to Ron earlier this week. We're business partners, so I can't avoid talking to him."

"Don't worry about it," I say. "She and I both know it's over."

"Why call you then?" Mom says.

"We're not enemies, Mom."

"Who's Susan?" Sharon's sweet voice next to me makes me realize that my feelings for Susan are over for good.

"Next time she calls, give her my number at Loren's. I'll talk to her."

I glance at Sharon and smile. "Susan is my ex-girlfriend, and Ron, Dad's business partner, is her father."

"Oh," is all she says.

"That's it? You're not going to ask me any questions?"

"It's none of my business."

"You're not the least bit curious?"

"I'm curious," she says, "but I'm not going to pry."

She's right. There's no reason why she'd want to know about my personal life. I only know about hers because Jimmy spent ninety-nine percent of his free time talking about her. I feel like I know her well, but to her, I'm still a stranger.

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