Page 45 of A Me and Him Thing
“I do,” Sawyer says. “No doghouse for me.”
Quinn leans over and gives him an Eskimo kiss. Their foreheads meet as they whisper sweet nothings.
“The cuteness factor is over the top,” Ren mumbles.
“Told you.”
“Didn’t believe you.”
People guess a bunch of dates, then Michelle asks Sawyer to reveal the due date.
He grins widely. “February fourteenth.”
A collective “Awwww” wanders around the room.
All I can think isfigures.When else would Sawyer and Quinn’s baby be due but on the day of love.
Quinn holds up the answer card withFEBRUARY FOURTEENTHand a bunch of hearts scribbled on it.
Sawyer and Quinn smile at each other, their hands clasped together tightly. I love how affectionate they are with each other. I always have.
It hits me then. Like a brick landing on my head.
I’m sitting next to Ren in a crowd of people. Our shoulders occasionally bump, our arms touch, our fingers brush against each other’s.
But he doesn’t reach out and hold my hand. In fact, he’s never held my hand. Not once, unless he’s helping me get up out of a chair or bandaging my hands after cooking lessons. I love my hand in his, but those moments don’t count.
Actually, he doesn’t touch me. Like, ever.
Why didn’t I realize this sooner? Am I so obsessed with myself and my pain that I’ve been a little blind?
Are we reallyonlyfriends? Nothing more. And no potential for more?
Then why is he spending so much time with me? What does he want?
I’m so confused. I mean, I told him I didn’t want to date for a year. I told him I only wanted to be friends. Is he simply honoring my wishes?
What’s going on?
Friends often comfort one another through a slight squeeze of a hand, an arm around a shoulder, or a few pats on the back. But Ren does none of those things.
Why not?
Now that I’m ready, now that I’ve developed feelings for Ren, am I about to face major heartbreak? Again?
What am I doing here? I can’t do this.
Michelle asks Jerry for the score. “Bree seven, Marie one, Sawyer two.”
Michelle hands me a gift bag. “Congratulations, Bree.”
The attention is on me again. I’m not sure I can fake even a small smile because my thoughts are reeling. Watching Sawyer and Quinn’s affection is making me realize that my relationship with Ren is lacking. Big time.
“Thank you,” I say quietly, holding the gift bag at my side. I’m not going to open it in front of everyone.
Chapter Thirteen
MICHELLE ANNOUNCES THATit’s time to open gifts. I’m happy to disappear into the woodwork and be an observer.
