“Can we please not talk about this?”
“Not talking about it isn’t going to make it go away. If there’s one thing I learned from therapy all those years ago is to heal, you need to talk about it, accept it, and put it behind you.”
“You act like what he did was no big deal. He messed with my head. He let me go on thinking for a year and a half, I had a chance of having a baby. The man I committed my life to. The one who was supposed to be there to protect me, not deceive me.”
“You know what I think? I think the issue isn’t so much about what he did. I think it’s about how you feel about yourself for not seeing it sooner. You’re blaming yourself, Adalyn, and I think that’s what you can’t let go of.”
“I didn’t know you got a degree in psychology,” I said, and Alfred snickered before walking out of the kitchen.
“I should have one, considering how many years I spent in therapy.” Luis walked by and kissed my cheek.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as I gripped the edge of the granite counter.
“Can we please not discuss this right now?”
“I won’t say another word,” Luis said. “At least not today.”
* * *
Collin
I’d just come from the stock room when I saw Adalyn walk into the bar. Instantly, a smile crossed my lips as I walked over to her.
“Hi there.” I grinned.
“Hey. I just thought I’d stop in for a bite to eat. I was helping Luis and Alfred unpack all day.”
“There’s a table over here.” I led the way.
“Hey, Adalyn.” Katherine smiled. “What can I get you to drink?”
“A glass of chardonnay would be great.”
“One glass of chardonnay coming up.”
I took a seat across from her as she looked over the menu.
“I’m happy you stopped in. I was going to call you later and ask if you wanted to go out tomorrow night.”
“Sure. What did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Do you like bowling?”
“Maybe?” She bit down on her bottom lip as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’ve never been?”
“No.”
“I think you’d like it. I can teach you. It’s not hard. You just throw the ball down the alley and pray you hit the pins.” I chuckled.
“Sounds like fun.”
Katherine walked over and set the glass of chardonnay down in front of Adalyn.
“Sorry, this took so long. Um, Colin.” Katherine nodded toward the bar.
I looked over, and instantly, the color from my face drained.