Page 67 of When Love Is Lost and Found

He leans down for what I think is going to be a kiss. I make no attempt to stop it. I close my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine, but no, his lips graze my ear instead as he whispers, "That feeling you have in the pit of your stomach… it's jealousy."

I pull away as if a hot flame has just scorched my skin.

"I'm not jealous!"

He doesn't back away but looks directly into my eyes and adds, "It's what I've been experiencing since you agreed to go out with Patrick. It's all I can think about."

The fact that he used Patrick's whole name lets me know he's not joking.

"I'm not the jealous type," I say matter-of-factly.

"Neither am I."

When he walks away and heads down the hall towards the office, I watch him and debate whether to throw something at him or beg him not to go.

Five minutes later, when I walk by the office to head upstairs, I hear him talking to Susan on the phone.

Our bags are by the front door when I return downstairs, but Jon is gone.

***

Jon hasn't stopped by since Sunday. He called later that night and talked to Noah, and again last night, but it was like we were strangers. There was no attempt at small talk, just all business. Professional, just like I told him it should be.

When the Linders come home on Tuesday afternoon, I feel guilty because their oldest son is not here to welcome them home, but they don't seem to notice. Maybe he already talked to them and told them he wouldn't be here.

When I'm upstairs helping Mrs. Linder put away her things, she mentions they have dinner plans.

"David's business partner and his wife are here visiting their daughter. We're meeting them for dinner in Cold Spring. You're welcome to join us."

"Thank you for inviting me," I say, "but I think I'll stay here. I have to call my family and friends in California if that's okay."

"Sharon," Mrs. Linder begins. "You never have to ask for permission to use the phone or anything else in this house. This is your home, Sweetheart."

"Thank you," I say. "And also, thank you for thinking of me, but I'll stay home."

I can't help but wonder if Jon will be joining them for dinner, too. What am I thinking? Of course he is.

After they leave, I pick up the phone and call Loren to ask her if she wants to join me for dinner.

"Why don't you come by, Honey? I made stuffed bell peppers and rice pilaf for dinner.”

I had planned to make a salad for dinner to go with the leftover fried green tomatoes I made last night. I put everything back in the refrigerator and set out on the three-minute walk to Loren’s.

"Knock-knock," I say when I reach her back door.

"Come in! I'm on the phone!"

I walk in and wait for her in the kitchen. It sounds like she's on the phone with her son.

"I will move when I'm ready, Son. Don't pressure me. I have Jon, and now Sharon and the Linders. I'm not all by myself. There's no reason to worry."

I feel weird listening in on her conversation, but there's nowhere to go, and I can't just leave.

"That was my boy," she says, walking into the kitchen. "I'm sure you heard. He wanted me in California yesterday."

"I'm sure they worry about you, but you're right. You have us."

"Thank you, Honey," she says, wrapping her arm around my waist.

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