Page 14 of Defending What is Mine

“Am I what?”

“Falling for her?”

Defensively, my hands come up. “Whoa. Figure of speech, man. Just a figure of speech.” But even to me, the words feel hollow.

He turns to face me. “So, you don’t feel that way about her?”

“Aww hell, I don’t know. Maybe? Is that good enough? I don’t know that I’ve ever been in love with anyone before. Girls have come and gone, but there’s never been anybody who made that kind of impression. Ya know what I mean?”

“What’s the problem, then? You two are just keeping each other company while you’re in town. Easy. Right?”

I can’t decide if it’s what Gabe said, or how he said it, but the statement doesn’t sit right with me. “I wouldn’t describe it that way either.”

“Well then, how would you describe it?”

As he stands there waiting for me to clarify, I realize that whatever the label, the thought of never talking to Sam again is a punch to the gut. Sorrow mixed with guilt. And loss. All twisting together in my stomach.

So, what the hell does that mean?

* * *

Sam: Then—August

Seated across from me in our dining room, Mollie impatiently drums her fingers against the edge of the table. “So?”

I sip my chardonnay. “So, what?”

“So, how did the date go?”

“You were there. You and Hank both. You saw how it went with your own eyes.”

Seemingly undeterred by my reluctance on the topic, Mollie continues. “Well, at least admit you want to see him again.”

I set my glass down and rest my elbows against the table, then lean forward to look my nosy cousin in the eye. “Yes, I enjoyed myself immensely.” So immensely that I haven’t been able to think about anything—or anyone—else. I’ve hummed “Little Talks” and “Thinking Out Loud” nonstop and smiled so big my cheeks ache.

“And?” Mollie motions for me to continue.

“And, I wouldn’t say no, if he decided to ask me out again.”

Mouth open, Mollie stares at me. “What? Are you honestly telling me you haven’t already made plans? You’re working on limited time here, ya know? We can’t afford to sit around playing will he, won’t he. Not with this one.”

My heart agrees with her immediately, but my head reminds me that I have a little girl who requires my attention more than the man who will soon be leaving the state. “The only thing I have time to worry about planning is a birthday party for a soon to be seven-year-old. We’re T-minus two days and counting. Remember?”

“Of course, I remember.” Mollie jumps in her seat with excitement. “Oooh, oooh! You should totally invite Jack to the party!”

“I think your head has been hitting the headboard a little too hard recently.” I chuckle. “Why would a grown man want anything to do with a little girl’s birthday party?” Though, the idea has my cheeks starting to ache again. Silly me with my silly perma-grin.

“Hey, now.” Mollie’s cheeks burn red at the accusation, but try as she might, she can’t hide her smile. “Hank is a grown man and he’s very excited to come to the party.”

“I suspect that has something to do with his interest in dessert. Don’t you?” I ask, playfully waggling my eyebrows.

“After that last comment, you better be talking cake and ice cream.” Mollie swats at my hand. “I was suggesting that you wouldn’t have to worry about Jack ending up alone in a corner with no one else to talk to.”

I sigh, trying to combat the giddy sense of yes, please! with a hard dose of reality. “You said it yourself, Jack and I have limited time. He’s going to leave in like…what? A week? What’s the point of letting myself get all caught up in the feels over someone who is guaranteed to disappear from my life?”

“Do you hear yourself?” Mollie rolls her eyes. “For one thing, it’s not like he’s boarding a rocket and leaving the planet. He’s an officer in the military, who just happens to be in the middle of a tour of duty. You know, like fighting for our country? All things that normal women might consider pros on their list for what makes the perfect guy,” she says with a matter-of-fact smirk. “And besides, no one is telling you to marry the man. At least not yet. I’m just saying you shouldn’t let a good one slip away now because of what might happen later.”

“Alright. Let’s play this out. What if he does ask me out again? And what if we go out and he continues to be charming and kind and perfect?”

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