Page 19 of Just a Distraction

I let go of the baby swing’s chain. “What did you do after you graduated high school?”

“I got a scholarship to CU Denver but had to work for a year to save money for food and books. Finally got there when I was nineteen.”

“And you knew you wanted to go into nursing at that point?”

“No. I was good at science, so I thought I’d work in a lab after graduation. Then some hard things happened in my family. A family member got sick and eventually passed away.” She nods, her gaze on the wood chips beneath her. “That whole experience made me want to be a nurse.“

“I admire that. As you know, I’m still not exactly sure what I want to do with my life.”

It’s a lie, but I’m not about to tell Rose that I dream of writing epic fantasy novels for a career. I haven’t told anyone.

She shrugs. “You have to realize that I’m coming at this from a place of total naiveté. No one in my family has ever graduated from college before, besides me. I don’t know what it’s going to take to get a degree in nursing, I just know that it’s what I want. And I’m stubborn, so . . .”

“You were the first one to graduate from college?” I can’t explain why, but a feeling of pride surges through me. She keeps getting more and more amazing the more I get to know her.

She nods. “We Hawkinses are proudly blue-collar. And a touch unlucky.” She pauses, deep in thought. “But I always wanted something different. Even when I was a little girl.”

I lie on the grass in front of her and stretch my legs out, resting on my elbows. The air smells of freshly-mown grass. The traffic in the distance emits a low hum. I find myself wishing I could be under a Longdale sky with her. The stars over Longdale are some of our best-kept secrets.

“You’re going to go places, Rose. I can feel it.”

She gazes at me, a slow smile starting to curve her lips. “What about you? You have two job offers, but you don’t want either one.”

“I never said that.”

“Am I wrong?” she challenges, her brows high.

I deliberate how much to say. “I do want to work with my family. That’s a dream come true for me. Both jobs would be working for family members.”

“But you don’t want to do the type of work they need?”

“Not exactly. I am grateful for the opportunity. I really am. I realize how fortunate I am, which is why I’m more than willing. Not everyone gets to do exactly what they want for a career.”

“That sounds like my mom and siblings’ beliefs.”

“Do they support your dream of becoming a nurse?”

She snorts. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about my family, because they’re amazing. But they’re also realists. They’ve been through a lot—we all have. And they want to protect me.”

“Protect you from what?”

“I don’t know. Disappointment? Imminent failure? Being strapped to student loans for a long time? I mean, I have a scholarship, but that won’t cover everything, and I can’t have a job much of the time I’m doing coursework.”

“I’m sure they love you and want the best for you. But despite all the obstacles you’ve had, you can still do this.”

“You sure about that?” She traps her bottom lip with her teeth.

“Yes. So what if you’re not starting the nursing degree right out of high school? It’s okay to be a little . . . non-traditional.”

“You have no idea how non-traditional,” she says under her breath before meeting my gaze. “But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

I take a deep breath and sit, pulling up my legs and resting my forearms on my knees. Why not just go for it, right? It’s worth a try. “Rose, can I see you again? Like, take you out on a date?”

Her deep breath mimics mine. “I’m not in a position to date right now, Milo. But I’m flattered.”

I swallow hard and nod. “Okay. I want to ask you why, but I won’t push you.”

“Can you trust me on this? My life is far too complicated.” She brightens in a smile. “Milo, you’re a very handsome man. Please know that, in another life, I would have attacked you in a kiss by now.”

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