Page 14 of For Now

“Why did you get a divorce?” heasked.

There it was.It was only fair, I supposed. “Well, since we’re being really honest, he left. Much like your situation. Except it was a Tuesday. He left me a note that said he had been seeing someone else and heleft.”

“I’m sorry,” hesaid.

“I’m not. I mean, I used to be, and it still sucks, but I’m not really all that sorry. It turns out he’d been seeing her for a while. I was sad but relieved at the same time, if that makessense.”

“Yeah, I think it does. Had it been rocky for a while?” heasked.

“Yes.”Something like thatanyway.

“Well, I’m certainly glad you decided to move here.” Hesmiled.

“Me, too,” I said, blushing. And I was. I was glad to be near Emma. I was glad to be away from Nashville. I was glad to have a fresh start even though sometimes that was hard to see. And I was glad I met Samuel.Really, Delilah??I still didn’t think I was ready for anything romantic, but having more friends couldn’thurt.

After getting the heavy questions out of the way, we settled into lighter conversation. When our food came, we ate mostly in silence and enjoyed the soft music. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something about Samuel put me at ease. Everything about him felt so genuine and warm. He was safe. I could feelit.

On our way to the car, it was the same routine. He opened all the doors. When he climbed into the driver’s side, he put his arm on the center console and it brushed against mine. I felt warmth radiate from the place where we made contact and my breath hitched. I tried to play it cool so I didn’t move my arm.It’s no big deal. It’s just an arm,Delilah.

We arrived back at my house, and he walked me to my door. I turned toward him on the porch and he had his hands in his pockets, smiling like he always seemed to bedoing.

“Thank you for taking me to dinner. I had a good time,” Isaid.

“It was my pleasure. I had a wonderful time aswell.”

There was a pause.Oh my god, is he going to try to kiss me? Jesus, what do I do? Oh, please don’t try to kiss me,Samuel.

“I’m glad we became friends, Samuel,” Isaid.

“Me, too, Delilah,” he said. He leaned in, slowly, and panic rose in my throat. I stood stone still. He gently turned my face by my chin and kissed me on the cheek. “At least for now,” he whispered against my skin. He pulled back and then turned and walked away. He called over his shoulder “Oh, and I’ll see youtomorrow.”

I stood here. I put my hand over where he had kissed. I unlocked my door, went inside, and locked the door behind me.I’m soscrewed.

I sat on the sofa and my phone dinged. I looked down at the front screen. It was a text message from the same unknown number asbefore.

You’re going to be fine. You’re going to be justfine.

Just give it time. Allow yourself tofeel.

I texted back, insisting to know who it was. Nothing. I called. No answer and no voicemail.What the hell is this?I walked around and checked all the doors and windows. I peeked out the windows and looked down the street, but there was nothing there.You’re just being paranoid,Delilah.

I changed into my sweatpants and hoodie and crawled into bed, leaving the hall light on. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to sleep too well. I tossed and turned for about an hour before I finally fell asleep. Right before my eyes finally shut, I reached up and rubbed my cheek where he had kissed me. I smiled a little. That night I dreamt about a little boy left alone. A woman was walking away from him. She didn’t even lookback.

Chapter Nine

I’ve always takenSunday mornings slowly. I moved slowly and I thought slowly. It was a time when I allowed myself to reboot. I would roll around in bed and lounge for a good hour before actually getting up. So to hear a knock at the front door at eight o’clock this morning more than threw me off.Why is someone knocking so early?I peeked down the hallway and the knocking grew louder. I threw my hoodie back over my head and stumbled in the direction of the noise. At some point in the night, I’d stripped both the hoodie and the sweats off after growing hot. I opened the door rather slowly, poking my faceout.

“Well, good morning, sleepy face!” Samuel sounded entirely too cheerful for eight in the morning on a Sunday. He was one of those happy morning people.Ugh.

“Um, good morning.” I stretched my arm up, suddenly aware that I wasn’t wearing much from the waist down. My standard underwear was boy shorts. Samuel’s eyes started to move down the length of my body, and I scrambled to pull my hoodie down as far as Icould.

“Sorry,” Isaid.

“No, don’t be. I’m not,” he said in a somewhat jokingtone.

I punched him in the arm. “Why are you here so early? Are youcrazy?”

“I brought breakfast! I thought we could eat, and then, as much as I hate to say it, I’m going to need you to get dressed.” He was teasing me and it was making meblush.

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