Page 29 of Most Likely to Fear Love

“That’s good.”

“How about you? Any serious relationships in your past?”

I absolutely did not want to go there, but fair’s fair. “Yeah, one. I was young and dumb.”

‘You’re very sad about it.”

Ain’t that the truth. “I am. Just for how gullible I was, more than anything. But I was in my early twenties, just about to finish law school. He was much older, and much wiser than me. Late thirties. I guess it worked out for me that we couldn’t have kids. That would have sucked.”

“You were trying?”

“Yeah. I got tested. He wouldn’t, swearing he knew it wasn’t him. When my tests came back clear too, it all kind of spiraled from there. And here I am.”

That wasa lotmore than I’d intended to share. Damn the wine.

“You want to change the subject, don’t you?”

That actually made me laugh. “Very much so.”

“Okay, well, how about I talk, you listen.”

“Sounds perfect.”

I settled deeper into my pillows, pulling the blanket up to my chest. The warmth of the hot chocolate and Harle’s soothing voice were working their magic, making my eyelids feel heavy.

“So then,” Harle was saying, his voice a low rumble in my ear, “the cat just stared at me like I was the biggest idiot in the world. Which, to be fair, I probably was at that moment.”

I chuckled softly, my laugh turning into a yawn. “Cats are jerks sometimes,” I murmured.

“Sleepy?” Harle asked, his tone gentle.

“Mmm, a little,” I admitted. “But I’m enjoying talking to you.”

“We can always talk more tomorrow. You sound like you’re about to drift off.”

I wanted to protest, to keep him on the line, but another yawn escaped me. “Maybe you’re right,” I conceded.

“Tell me about your plans for tomorrow,” Harle prompted, his voice taking on a softer quality.

I snuggled deeper into my blanket, my eyes fluttering closed. “Just work,” I mumbled. “Boring lawyer stuff.”

“I’m sure it’s not boring.” His words were starting to blur together in my mind.

“I’ll just be reading reports mostly, and um, then I’ll…”

“I’m gonna let you go get some sleep.”

I made a noncommittal sound, feeling myself slip closer to sleep. “Okay. Thanks Harle. This was really nice.”

“It was. Good night, Cassidy. See you soon.”

“Good night, Harle.”

CASSIDY

Harle:Cassidy, I’m so sorry, but I can’t meet you today. My truck’s got a mechanical problem and I’ve just been advised it’s going to take three days to fix.

Fuck. Dammit. Hot tears stung my eyes as I stared at Harle’s message. My hands were shaking as I typed out a reply.

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