Page 72 of His Curvy Distraction

“Except you,” I said, knowing she didn’t feel that way when we met.

She breathed a self-conscious laugh. “No. When you found me at the campground… I would have panicked if you weren’t there. I froze when that storm came in. I had no idea what to do, and you took charge and got us to your car. That’s sort of what I’m talking about.”

“It’s a good thing I take over instead of offering people to think for themselves?”

She chuckled. “No. Well, yes, when the situation warrants it.”

“And if the situation doesn’t warrant it, then I’m an overbearing jerk?”

She shook her head. “No. You just know what makes sense. You think farther ahead than others and know where things need to go. I live in the moment more, which works out well with my job. That’s how kids are, and it allows me to be on their level more easily, I think.”

“You really love kids.” It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway.

A dreamy look lifted her lips and had her eyes unfocused and staring past me. “I do. I always have. I guess it’s a symptom of my childhood or something.”

“Did you grow up with a bunch of younger siblings?” I asked.

She shook her head and laughed. “Not even close. I’m the youngest, but my dad was married before me so my older sisters didn’t grow up with me. They’re eight and thirteen years older than me.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. I was always jealous that they had each other. I begged my parents to have another kid, but it wasn’t in their plans or in the cards or whatever. Whatever the reason, I’m the only one. But I was always drawn to the younger kids. Any of my friends who had younger siblings I would spend as much time with their siblings as my friends. I always felt more comfortable with them.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. A lot of people go into education because they want to be there for younger generations.”

She nodded. “Yeah, that was part of it. I just wanted to have someone to play with.”

I laughed. “Well, that works, too. Now it’s what you do all day.”

“Not all day. There’s this guy who won’t give me money and has me working on all kinds of different things.” She laughed.

I fought the unease inside me. Was that why she wanted to date me?

No, it couldn’t be. I was the one who pursued her. But was I a fool?

“I was just joking,” she said softly, drawing my attention.

I pressed my lips into a smile I didn’t feel. The server came over with our appetizers and distracted us for a moment, but the moment wasn’t over.

The server left, promising to return to check on us soon, and Natalie looked at me.

“I am not here to ask you for more money. Or anything like that. I really was joking.”

“Okay,” I said, but it was hard to believe her. I picked up a potato skin and took a bite, resolving not to let her bad joke ruin the night.

She followed suit, choosing her own appetizer and turning the conversation away from work to things less full of landmines.

“I ruined this, didn’t I?” she asked after our dinner was served.

I sighed, knowing I had to be honest with her. “I’m trying not to let it. My ex was a master manipulator. She would tell me one thing but do something else, then accuse me of not paying attention to what she said. She had multiple affairs. She made me doubt everything I knew about myself.”

“I’m not like that,” Natalie breathed.

“I know. I want to know. I believe you. But…”

“Everyone wants something from you. And it makes you wonder if anyone is ever honest with you.”

I nodded, surprised she was able to capture my thoughts so succinctly.

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