Page 122 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“I did.”
“And?”
“I asked you first.”
“Really, Riley? How old are you?”
“I told you already. Thirty-six.”
She rolls her eyes and cub growls.
“I like when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Growl like an adorable baby lion.”
Our waiter delivers our drinks, but I don’t let him distract her, my stare intently fixed on her exasperated eyes. “Just tell mewhat you meant, Riles.”
“I meant exactly what I said,” she murmurs before taking a sip of her milkshake-looking drink. “I care about you more than I should.”
“Then let me kiss you again.”
Sighing, she places her drink on the table. “It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I told you already. You’re getting a divorce.”
I lean forward and pick up my whiskey. “I am, but what’s that got to do with it?”
“Divorce is emotionally taxing. I don’t want to add to that.”
Her concern over my mental wellbeing is sweet—I can’t deny that—but it shouldn’t deter her from “caring” more than she should.
“You’re right,” I say, reclining into my chair. “It is emotionally taxing. The past two years have been some of the hardest of my life.” I swirl my drink, watching the ice cubes circulate within the glass. “But for the first time since everything went to shit, I know I can move on from Krystal. To be honest, I already have. I wasn’t ready to accept that before, but I am now.”
“Why?”
“Because of you.”
“Me?” She cocks her head. “But how can you honestly think that? We don’t know each other.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Riley, it has barely been a week.”
“A lot can happen in a week.”
“I know, but?—”
“Fine. You think you don’t know me? Ask me anything. What do you want to know?”
“I-I….” She blinks as if it’s a stupid solution.
It’s not.
“Ask me whatever,” I prompt. “That’s how it works.”
