Page 11 of When I Found You

“You seeing her again?” he asks, quirking a brow at me. He’s well aware of my hang-up with women.

“Actually, I am. I’m supposed to text her this morning to make plans for later today. I didn’t want to commit to anything until after I’d talked to you, in case you needed me for anything later.”

“I’ll be fine, you go on out. Maybe she’ll change your mind on women.”

“Not quite sure that’s going to happen, but you never know,” I tell him honestly. I thought about that last night while I was lying in bed. What it would be like to date again, to get close to a woman. But could I ever learn to trust another person with my heart? Could I learn to allow that control over something I’ve kept so protected over the years? Could a woman prove me wrong, that they don’t all walk away or cheat when the going gets tough?

“She’s already got you tied up, doesn’t she?” Dad asks, observing me as I sit across from him, drinking my coffee.

“Maybe,” I huff. “I don’t know what she’s doing to me, Dad. I’veneverfelt this way after just meeting a woman. She’s got me all knotted up inside and I can’t wait to see her again. And it isn’t just sexual. Hell, I haven’t even kissed her. I just feel a pull to her. Like I was meant to meet her.”

“Sometimes we meet people when we least expect to, son. Sounds like she’s a pretty amazing woman. What did you say her name was?”

“Stacey.”

“And she lives here in the Nashville area?”

“Yep, she’s on the outskirts of Nashville. Not too far from here.”

“And what does she do for a living?”

“A songwriter. She’s actually up for some big awards, I guess, at the CMA’s in a few weeks.”

“Damn, impressive.”

“Yep. I met her writing partner and the singer, Reese something or other, who she writes for, mostly. They were all pretty cool. Didn’t give me a hard time about not knowing who Reese was.”

“Reese Blackwood?”

“Yes, you’ve heard of her?”

“You’d have to be living under a rock not to, son,” Dad says on a laugh before falling into another coughing fit.

“Or living in the desert of Afghanistan?” I quip.

“I guess that will do it, as well.” Dad chuckles again. “So, where are you going to take her tonight?”

“Not sure yet. After we left the bar last night, we went out to The Diner for some late-night food. Talked for a few hours. She mentioned that she enjoyed going out dancing, so maybe I could take her downtown to one of the county bars. They’ve always got live music going on.”

“You could do that.”

I head back into the kitchen for a refill on my coffee and to make some breakfast. “You want anything else to eat?” I ask my dad on my way.

“I’m good for now. Needed something light in my stomach to get my pills down.”

I rummage through the fridge and settle on some eggs and sausage. I quickly fry up my food, then take my plate out to the living room so we can continue talking while I eat.

With my dad starting to feel better, I’m not as hesitant about leaving him and going out with Stacey again tonight. Needing to confirm things with her, I slip my phone from my pocket and pull up her contact.

Peyton

Mornin’, hope you had a good night. My dad’s doing better today, so I’m all yours tonight. I was thinking dinner and maybe some dancing? Hit up one of the county bars downtown, how’s that sound?

It only takes a few seconds for my message to go from a delivered status to read and for the three little dots to start dancing, showing me she’s typing out a response.

Stacey

My night was great. ;) Thanks for asking! I met this guy last night who was a gentleman and pretty hot. Excited to be seeing him again tonight. ;)

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