Page 24 of Pining for Pierce

“It’s okay,” he said, smiling at me, and turning slightly, so he blocked my way as he handed me a slip of paper. I half expected it to be a note from Kaiden to say he’d had to leave, and I wasn’t at all surprised by how happy that thought made me feel, except as I looked up at Dawson, I noticed a serious, worried expression on his face. “Read it,” he whispered.

I opened the folded piece of paper and glanced down at the words, ‘If you need help, nod your head’ before looking back up at him again. There was nothing but concern in his eyes now, and although it would have been easy to nod, I still felt like I could handle the situation, and I felt sure that if Dawson stepped in, Kaiden would cause trouble. That was the last thing I needed… especially somewhere like that, with so many people around, so I shook my head instead.

“I’m fine,” I said, keeping my voice quiet, although there was enough noise in the bar to drown out all but the loudest of shouts.

“Sure?” he said, and I nodded again.

He stepped aside, and I sauntered back to the booth, wondering how on earth I’d given away my discomfort. I must have done somehow, but I couldn’t think what had betrayed me.

“Are you okay?” Kaiden said.

“Sure.”

I couldn’t be certain if he’d seen me talking to Dawson, although he was facing the other way, so it seemed unlikely, andI finished my drink, getting ready to make my speech, just as he reached across and took my hand in his again.

“Do you wanna come back to my place for dinner?” he asked.

“Um… no, thanks. I—”

“You’re busy?” he said, finishing my sentence for me. “Okay. How about tomorrow? We could do something then, couldn’t we?”

“I’m not sure. I—”

“Why don’t we start our evening with drinks again, and then head out somewhere else? I can pick you up from your place, if you like?”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

“No. I’ll meet you.”

He shook his head as I realized I’d stupidly agreed to another date. What was wrong with me?

“I won’t hear of it,” he said. “I’ll drive. Give me your address, and I’ll call for you at… seven?”

“Honestly, Kaiden… I…”

“Stop stalling and give me your address,” he said. “I know you live in Willmont Vale, so I just need to know where.”

He gripped my hand a little harder, and I said the address, feeling trapped. Again. I’d intended to end it with him, and all I’d done was make plans for another date I didn’t want.

I knew my own inexperience was to blame for at least some of my inability to just say the words, but I honestly couldn’t believe how hard he was making it.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna come back to my place?” he said, tilting his head to one side.

“I can’t.”

He shrugged his shoulders, offering a second drink, which I declined, telling him I had to get home.

Once again, he walked me back to my car, and I dreaded our arrival there, fearing he’d try to kiss me again. Fortunately, as we got to the other side of the street, right outside the ice cream parlor, his phone rang. He pulled it out and answered it, without a word to me, and through a series of hand gestures, I let it be known I had to go. He mouthed ‘see you tomorrow’, and I nodded, feeling pathetic that I couldn’t find a way to say ‘no’, instead of ‘yes’.

I didn’t sleep very well last night, dwelling on my date with Kaiden, Dawson’s note, and what might happen tonight. None of it was sitting well with me, and at around six-thirty this morning, as I climbed out of bed, I even contemplated calling Pierce.

I didn’t, because I was still mad at him, and I didn’t want to hear him crow over me, so instead, I took a shower and got ready to come to work.

Since then, I’ve been wondering how I can get out of my date. I don’t have Kaiden’s number, and I wish now that I’d found an excuse to take it… just so I could call and cancel. Or maybe text and cancel. That would be easier.

As it is, I can’t see any way out of letting him come to the house tonight… and then telling him I don’t want to see him. Although getting him to stop talking long enough for me to actually get the words out will be an achievement in itself.

“Is everything okay?” I startle and look up at Doctor Dodds. He’s standing on the other side of my desk, although I don’t know how he got there without me noticing.

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