Page 47 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“Are you going to stop seeing him?” Clara asked.

“No. I’m going to spend as much time as I possibly can with him before I have to go back home. At least I’ll have all the memories,” Charlie said.

“That is a dangerous path that you are traveling,” Clara said. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I would get hurt whether I keep seeing him or I don’t,” Charlie said.

“I worry about you,” Clara said.

“There is no need. I’m going into this with my eyes wide open,” Charlie said. “So, what’s going on between you and Dillon?”

“To be honest, I don’t really know. We’ve gone out a couple of times and we’ve made love. He has brought out feelings that I never knew existed – and not just physical feelings. We’ve not had any kind of discussion to define our relationship.”

“How do you feel about him?” Charlie asked.

“I’m afraid that I might be falling in love with him and that scares the living daylights out of me.”

“Why?”

“I guess one reason is that I don’t know how he feels about me. I have no idea how deep his feelings are for me,” Clara said.

“You should just ask him,” Charlie said.

“That would be awkward,” Clara replied. “What would I say, ‘How much do you like me on a scale of one to ten, one being that you dislike me and ten being that you are in love with me?”

Charlie laughed and said, “I suppose that would be one way that you could do it. I recommend having an open and honest conversation about it, though.”

“I know that you are right,” Clara said.

“What is another reason?” Charlie said.

“I’m afraid of loving someone. I thought that I was in love with John and look how that turned out for me.”

“Not all men are like John. Most men aren’t. I really don’t think that Dillon is,” Charlie said.

“I don’t think so either, but there is still that worry that is in the back of my head.”

“Just take the relationship one step at a time,” Charlie said. “See where it leads.”

“That is my plan,” Clara said.

About an hour later, Alexis came into the café with her brother, Xavier.

“Hello, Clara. It’s so great to see you again,” she said as she looked around.

She spotted Zeke sitting in his little nook, playing with Reno.

“Oh my gosh, how adorable. Your son is so handsome, and the puppy is simply precious.”

“Thank you,” Clara said.

“What’s your son’s name?” Alexis asked.

“Zeke,” Clara said.

“Hi, Zeke. I’m Alexis. What is your puppy’s name?”

“Reno,” Zeke said.

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