Page 26 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"An apology," he says, looking away.

"Apology? For what?"

He remains quiet as if searching for the right words. Meanwhile, my eyes continue staring. He's so handsome. The gold center in his gray eyes seems darker tonight.

"That whole ridiculous conversation earlier about Patrick."

"So that's what you meant when you said you're protective."

"Yes, but I have no business arbitrating your dealings with other people. I recognize that I was wrong."

"I appreciate you looking out for me," I say, noticing his smile. "Like a big brother." A big brother?! Ugh, I could kick myself for saying something so stupid.

Chapter 6

Jon

And there it is. We've only known each other for twenty-four hours, and I've already been filed in the brother category.

Say something! I tell myself. For the love of all that is good, say something.

"I came downstairs earlier," I finally say, "You and Mom were deep in conversation, so I didn't want to interrupt."

"We were just clearing up a few things."

"Like what?" I ask. "No, you don't have to tell me. I just hope everything's okay."

"Everything's fine," she says, smiling. "More than fine."

"Good," I say. "Have you ever been to New York?"

"You mean to visit and not just passing through?"

"Yeah," I say, glancing at her briefly before looking away.

"When I was a little girl, my Dad brought me along on one of his business trips."

"Your mom didn't come with you?" I ask.

"No. No, she didn't. She made my dad choose between us."

"How so?"

"I was seven. I overheard when Dad told Mom he felt I was old enough to travel with them. I had always stayed behind with my grandmother before. To make a long story short, she said that if I went, she would rather stay home."

"What did your dad say?"

"He said it was her choice whether to go or stay but that I was going. It was yet another of the many reasons she resented me."

"I'm sorry," I say. "I can't imagine having such a difficult relationship with a parent."

"Yeah, it hasn't been easy being my mother's daughter. One of the main reasons I chose to leave home right after graduating was because I knew it was just a matter of time before she kicked me out. I just beat her to the punch."

"What did your dad do for a living?"

"He was a business consultant."

"So he traveled a lot?"

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