I expect her to ask for the exact wording so she can check that I haven’t jumped to conclusions, but she plows on. “Did she explain?”
“No. Not like we’ve had an opportunity though.”
“How do you feel about her reluctance to tell her dad about the two of you?”
A growing sting blooms beneath my skin. “It’s confusing. I thought we had a good time, but maybe I’m wrong. It makes me feellike I’m not good enough for her.” Though why did she look at me like she wanted me to kiss her Monday morning?
“We went from you not knowing how she feels to assuming the worst.”
I cringe. “Ouch.”
She smiles. “Is it possible that her reasons for discretion have nothing to do with you?”
Of course it’s possible. But hope is a fickle, fragile thing. Dangerous.
“Are you okay with keeping things a secret from her dad, who is also your boss?”
I know the correct answer. Keeping one secret can so easily lead to two, to more, and that road is paved straight back to my own personal hell. A destination that jeopardizes everything I’ve worked so hard for. “No.”
Dr. Keats nods. “Okay then.”
We end the call and I close my laptop lid. The bleak darkness outside turns my window into a mirror, but I roll onto my bed and stare at the ceiling instead.
Linnea hasn’t called me about the double date. Maybe it’s better she doesn’t. Because everything up to now could be discounted as happenstance. Taking her on an actual date would cross that line.
Chapter Fifteen
I’m blastingThievery Corporation’sMirror Conspiracywhile sketching an outline of the Bitterroots in pencil over my solid ochre background when a soft chime shatters my focus.
Lily has taught me how to set up limits on incoming calls and texts, but I often forgot to turn it off, and one time I missed a call from Micah. He’d been hurt in a crash and though he was fine, I don’t ever want that to happen again.
I tap the phone’s screen, and frown. It’s a text message from the same person who called last Thursday and didn’t leave a message. The area code was local, which threw me. I only know a handful of people in Finn River.
UNKNOWN:
I have an update on Colton
ME:
Whois this?
The dots dance, then stop. Dance, then stop.
I take a sip from my water bottle as I wait, but my impatience can’t be tamed. Finally, a new message appears.
UNKNOWN:
Rowdy Whittaker
I run a hand down my ponytail.
It’s been over a week since I sent him off with the bags of Micah’s clothes and resolved to put him out of my mind.
Not that it’s worked.
Because how many men could show up the way Rowdy did that night? He was calm and confident, an excellent listener, and curious, yet still a man of action. Capable. Not to mention handsome and charming in that quiet, attentive way.
But I’m done fretting over him, crackling chemistry or not.