“Nothing major. I just keep hitting dead ends where Sophie’s case is concerned. I’ve put my life on hold for so long. It feels like I’ll never have answers,” I said. My comment was met with a loud sigh from Mom.
“I’ve been saying that for a long time, Claire. Your dad has too. We were shocked when you told us you were doing your master’s degree in criminology instead of environmental science,” she confessed.
Now it was my turn to sigh.
“Working outside with the land has reminded me how much I love it. It’s kind of making me question my decisions.”
“Nothing wrong with that. You’re young. You can always choose a different path,” she said.
The call went silent. For a moment I thought it may have disconnected. “Mom, are you there?”
“Yeah, sorry. I was just processing your words. Something has changed with you. Did you meet someone?” she asked, her tone lifted slightly like she already knew but wanted to hide her enthusiasm.
“Yes,” I admitted.
I couldn’t hide from her, not after she and Dad were so supportive of me coming out here. There was an audible exhale on the other end.
“Your dad and I hoped this day would come,” she said.
I could understand where she was coming from. At twenty-four they assumed I would be dating, but here I was a virgin with little experience.
“I’m sorry it’s taken so long. This situation with this guy isn’t serious though. I don’t want you guys getting your hopes up,” I said.
She blew out a breath. “Don’t worry about us, Claire. Throughout college we were hoping you’d meet a nice young man. We’re glad it’s happened now. Just take your time. No pressure.”
“There wasn’t anyone worth noticing in college,” I noted.
“Maybe, but you were so wrapped up in figuring out what happened to Sophie you wouldn’t have noticed the right guy anyway,” she retorted.
She wasn’t wrong. “If there was someone I would’ve noticed.”
“What about Jamie?” she pressed. “That boy followed you around for years.”
“Jamie’s a good friend,” I replied flatly.
“Because you friend-zoned him,” she replied.
“I didn’t see him in that way,” I said.
“Sometimes things are one-sided. Probably why you never noticed,” she said lightly. “Enough about the past. Tell me about this new guy.”
“His name is Asher Thorne. He’s my boss. And before you say it’s a terrible idea…”
“Claire, I wasn’t going to say anything,” she chuckled.
“He’s different,” I continued, knowing I had her support. “He’s not someone I ever thought I would want, but…”
“But?” she encouraged.
“He’s steady,” I admitted. “And infuriating. And protective in a way that makes me want to argue with him and kiss him at the same time.”
She laughed softly.
“And?”
“And when he looks at me,” I continued, my eyes fixed on the dark road ahead, “it feels like the world stops and it’s just me and him.”
Silence stretched.