Page 59 of Playing A Risk
HUNTER
“Please, Hunter,”Dorothy says. “I can tell something’s bothering you, so let’s talk about it.”
Her words are loaded and could destroy what I’m trying to build with her. I twist back to face her.
How am I supposed to answer this honestly?
Therapy was a bitch today. There’s nothing like having my therapist point out that I only win the love of my life’s heart by default. Dorothy loves Jamison more. That’s if she even feels that way about me anymore.
I thought her accepting my invitation to the ball would lift my spirits, but it had the opposite effect. I still can’t show her off like I want or treat her the way she deserves. That’ll become glaringly obvious when we step into the event together, but still apart.
“Hunter, did you hear me?” She stands there in the dark, the mesmerizing dance of twinkling light beams defining her silhouette.
Although, I can still visualize her in her red and white plaid leggings with a ridiculous red sweater that has big green Christmas lights woven into the pattern. Why she had Katy pack those is beyond me, but Dorothy’s adorable in them.
That thought causes me to smile. “I heard you. I apologize for my obvious mood. It wasn’t meant to seep into the festivities tonight.”
“Did I do something that upset you?”
“No, beauty. This is all my doing.”
“Will you sit with me on the sofa and talk?”
I can’t deny this woman, even if I wanted to.
“Of course.”
I pad to her and take her hand in mine. She leans against me as we walk over to the sofa.
Her actions confuse me. She’s giving off signs she wants to be more intimate, but when she speaks of our relationship, her words don’t align.
I’ll let her lead this conversation wherever she wants. She’ll need to make the first move. Otherwise, I’ll second-guess myself.
We get to the couch and sit. She brings her legs up and tucks them underneath her.
I scoot to the corner and shift to face her. “What would you like to talk about?”
“You’ve been lost in thought a few times tonight. Since you’ve been letting me lean on you, I’d like to return the favor.”
“How so?”
“When we were together, you would tell me things that touched my heart. There wasn’t a filter. When I asked you why, you would say you were just communicating with me and telling me how you felt. It was one of the reasons I fell in love with you. I miss it.”
“Are you saying you don’t see me doing that now? Because I haven’t been shy about how I feel about you.” I rest my arm on the back of the couch.
“It’s more about the times I notice you holding back. I can tell you’re thinking about something as you watch me, but youlook away when there’s an opening for you to say what’s on your mind.”
“That’s because I know you’re struggling right now. I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of the situation.”
She reaches for my hand and slides closer to me as she places her other hand over my heart.
“Hunter, I don’t want you to hold back. I like the closeness we’ve been sharing over the last few days. I’m not saying there aren’t moments when I’m upset and confused, but my feelings for you haven’t disappeared.
“If anything, they’re growing. It’s not fair of me to tell you that, but it’s true. I see how hard you’re trying, and it warms my heart.”
“That’s nice to hear.” I squeeze her hand. “So, I guess this is your way of asking me to share what’s been on my mind?”
“That’s exactly what it means.”
