Page 41 of Three Not-So-Little Words
Oh, let’s face it—we didn’t try all that hard. We were having way too much fun.
I think about our conversation we had before I left.
Three hours earlier.
“I had a really great time,” Ronnie says, linking her fingers with mine and looking up at me.
“Back at you, beautiful.”
Throughout the past 24 hours, all of her makeup has come off, and her hair is a bit messier, but she’s still stunning. Absolutely gorgeous.
“Drew,” she begins. “I very rarely ever say this, but maybe we could get together again. Since I’m going to be sticking around for a while.”
I think about her offer. I want to go all in and say yes, but there’s one very large elephant in the room. “I’d like that,” I tell her. “But I can really only do things on the weekends.”
“Weekends are good,” she smiles.
Guilt hits me hard, and I feel like I have to say something about the fact that I have a kid.
“I can only do weekends because—”
She cuts me off. “Nope. I don’t want to know. Look, I’m not looking for any type of commitment from you. I don’t really do that. I’m just saying every once in a while—on weekends—we can have some fun. Some good old-fashioned naked fun.”
I can’t help but smile. “Sounds like a plan.”
Present.
Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed. After all, I’m supposed to be focusing on Colton and my new job. But that time with Ronnie was the happiest I’ve felt in a while. It was the first time in who knows how long that I didn’t have to think about any of my responsibilities.
Maybe that’s selfish of me.
But right now, I don’t care. Being a little selfish may be necessary for my own self-preservation.
fifteen
Ignorance is Bliss
Ronnie
“Hey there, Aaron,” I whisper as the cool wind whips around me. I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp Autumn morning.
“I missed you,” I say to the vast nothingness around me.
I shouldn’t saynothingness.There is a ton of gorgeous nature around me. But I’m the only one here to enjoy it.
I’m all alone and talking to myself. Anyone who would see me right now would probably think I’m crazy.
I guess it’s a good thing there’s no one else around.
I look up at this large waterfall that sits on the other side of the lake.
Yes, Lilly Leaf Falls actually has a waterfall. It’s just tucked in the middle of the woods. Most people would never guess that it’s here. Out of all the places I love around this town, this is my absolute favorite.
Back in the day, I would come here with my absolute favorite person.
Now, I come here alone. But I love it all the same. And just because that person may not be here doesn’t mean I can’t still talk to him.
“How have you been?” I ask even though I know I’ll never get an answer. “Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve been back. I couldn’t get away from work.”
