Page 16 of Catch You

“Err … no?”

“Me neither, but any man who turns your cheeks that color is worthy of a little of your time. So, when are you seeing him again?”

“I’m not,” I mutter, focusing on my now half-eaten cake.

“He didn’t give you his number?”

“Yeah, he did. I’m just not looking for anything right now.”

“Harlow, the best things don’t appear when we’re looking for them. They usually hit you upside the head when you least expect it.”

“I know.”

“So, call him. He might be the perfect distraction.” She winks, and I pray for the floor to swallow me up. My aunt isn’t naïve to my past—she actually found herself dragging me from the situations I got myself into more than once, so she knows exactly the kind ofdistractionI used to rely on.

“I don’t need a distraction.”

“Harlow,” she sighs. “Stop being so afraid. Meeting this guy again, going on a date, spending time with him is so far from anything in your past. A distraction can come in many forms. You’re a different person now. You’re strong. You know what you want from life. You make good choices. But you’re letting your fear get in the way of really living your life. How many guys have you turned down over the years?”

“A lot,” I mutter, not all that happy that this has turned into a Harlow therapy session all of a sudden. Shouldn’t I be supporting her right now?

“Love is worth being brave for. Trust me.” Her eyes go all soft as she thinks about my uncle. He was the only man she ever knew, and their love was unbreakable to the very end.

“I’m not sure this is?—”

“You’ll never know if you don’t call him and find out. Sure, there’s a chance you’ll meet a few frogs along the way, but some lucky people like me find their prince right away.”

“I’ve already done the frogs. They’re what I’m afraid of.”

“Different kind of frog, Lo.”

I think back to the guys of my past, and I can’t deny that what she’s saying isn’t true. Corey is totally different from the wastes of space I remember, who only wanted me for one thingwhile I craved the mind-numbing bliss they offered in return. My stomach turns over with disgust.

I mull her words over as I finish off my cake. As much as I hate to consider that she might be right, it’s better than thinking about our reality. In a few weeks, she might not be here to give me any advice, so I’d better enjoy it while I have it.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good, because it’s time you started doing something for yourself for a change. You spend too much of your life supporting everyone else around you.”

“It’s what I enjoy.”

“I know you do, and I know it makes you happy. But you’re important too.”

She yawns, and it’s the perfect reminder of what the biggest issue is right now.

“I should get you home.”

“I’m sorry, I?—”

“Don’t. Don’t ever be sorry. None of this is your fault.”

“I know. I just hate that I’ve put that look in your eye once more.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m stronger than I look, it seems.”

“That you are, girl. That you are.”

We pay our small bill before heading out to find my car.

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