Page 71 of Love's Cure

“So, will you be going out with her like she wants?” Crystal hated herself for being this petty, but she couldn’t help herself.

“What? No. What’s gotten into you?”

Crystal pulled up to his house and parked the car. Facing him, she said, “I thought we had something special going. I may enjoy people, and have fun with them on a social level, but I’m not someone who fools around romantically. I’m careful not to put myself in a situation where I can be hurt. This relationship with you has every indication that this is where it’s headed. Your family doesn’t like or respect me. Otherwise, your mother wouldn’t encourage Diana’s romantic interest. I see a pattern emerging. You. Me. Diana. That’s one too many in a relationship. And I want no part of that.”

Emmett gave her a steady look. “Are you saying you want to end it between us?”

“Not really ...”

“What the hell does that mean?” said Emmett in a sharp tone indicating his anger.

“I don’t know. We’ve only committed to getting to know one another, but I’m afraid that I’m more invested in a future together than you are. I’m thinking maybe we should step back. Maybe this has all happened too quickly.” Crystal held her breath waiting for him to deny her words.

“If that’s what you want. Okay. I’ve tried to show you how I feel. If that’s not enough, this thing between us won’t work.”

Crystal lowered her head. All she’d wanted was a denial from him, something that would tell her he saw them together in the future as much as she did. Why had she forced the issue?

“Goodnight, Crystal,” said Emmett getting out of the car. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you around town.”

She lifted her face, but he’d already started walking into the house. Not knowing what else to do, she pulled out of the driveway and headed back to her apartment.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

When Crystal got home, she greeted Misty watching television on the couch, and went directly to her bedroom. There, she put on a nightshirt and climbed between the sheets.

At the knock on the door, she tensed.

“Are you alright?” Misty asked.

“I will be,” said Crystal in a firm voice. She’d wanted more than Emmett was ready to give. It was a lesson to her not to create something that wasn’t there. Emmett could’ve, should’ve had his arm around her during the fireworks, not let Diana hang all over him. He hadn’t encouraged anything, but on the other hand, he hadn’t indicated any unhappiness in having Diana act that way.

Her thoughts spiraled downward, feeding her insecurity. Gravitating toward a new person in town, she’d mistakenly believed she and Emmett had the foundation of something better. He was a super lover, experienced. Surely, with his looks and personality, he would be a catch for anyone. Diana certainly thought so. On and on it went.

Crystal put a pillow over her head as if that could stop her thoughts. It reminded her of times when as a child she’d do the same thing to prevent hearing her mother rant and rave about something or nothing.

Taking a deep breath, Crystal pulled the pillow off her head. She would move forward as she usually did, keeping busy with work. Though her heart was broken, she was a strong woman.

---