Page 62 of Blindly Yours

I take a deep breath, transporting myself back. “It was so peaceful out there in the country. Nothing was extravagant. We didn’t even have internet. But we spent time together. Nate and his daughter and me. We went to a blizzard party at the local grill. We drank cheap beer. We played pool. We made s’mores.” I lift my hand to my cheek and sigh. “I forgot about everything else. I didn’t even think about work. I can’t remember the last time I went a day without thinking about work.”

She’s raising a brow. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”

My eyes go wide. “What? How did you know?”

She shakes her head and chuckles. “It’s written all over your face.” She takes a sip of her own drink and crosses her legs. “Well, I think you’ve probably made up your mind then. It must have been a good kiss?”

With a sigh, I clasp my hands together and give her a pleading look. “No one has ever kissed me like that before.”

She smiles. “Well, then…”

“He asked to see me again.” I sit back. “But I’m going to tell him no.”

Junie just stares at me.

Apparently, Iamcrazy.

“I’m done casual dating.” I shake my head. “So, there’s no point in seeing him. His idea of a future is so far off my map… You know I’ll never live outside the city. I need to be close to the company…inthisworld. His world is farmland and wide-open spaces. He wouldn’t be caught dead in a tower apartment.”

“So…it would be pointless?” she asks quietly.

“It would be pointless,” I echo.

“What about his daughter?” Junie asks. “Where’s her mom?”

I frown. “She died, remember? Two years ago.”

“Oh, wow, that’s right.” Her face falls. “Is he…ready to move on?”

I shrug. “He says so. He hasn’t dated until he just joined the app.”

“Well, that explains why the kiss was so good. Dude’s been celibate for two years. He unleashed it on you.”

I look down at my hands. I hadn’t given it much thought, but she’s probably right. If he’s bottled it up for so long, did it really matter to him that it was me? Would he have kissed anyone with that kind of passion?

I glance up at Junie. It’s painfully clear to me, and I’ve made my decision. “I can’t do it.”

TWELVE

Nate

“When can we invite Rose back to visit, Dad?”

It’s the third time Kara’s asked me this since I got home from dropping Rose at her car this morning, and my patience is wearing thin.

“Kara, like I said before, I don’t know. Now, stop asking me about it.” I pull a store-bought lasagna out of the oven and set it on the table. I didn’t have the energy to cook tonight.

Kara sits down and picks up her fork while I cut her a serving. “Will you see her again at work?”

I plate my own slice and take my seat with a sigh. “I’m not sure. Probably.”

“I’m going to make her another drawing. Will you take it to her?”

I take a bite to control my irritation before I respond. “Yes, if I find out I’m going to see her, I’ll take your drawing.” Then I change the subject. “What do you think of having Maddy and Jackie over after school tomorrow?”

She lights up. “Yes! Can I go call them?”

“After dinner.” I point to her plate.

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