Page 48 of For the Win

I sink down onto a chair.

Yes, really.

Honestly?I thought you were brushing me off.

I nibble my lower lip.I knew he thought that.I don’t want him to think that.

Honestly?I wasn’t.

He sends me a smile emoji.

Okay, then.When can I see you again?

Before I can answer, I get another text.

Shit, I’m going out of town.We’re back Saturday.

I tap in my reply.

So...Saturday, then?

Another smile emoji.

Great.

A big smile tugs at my lips.I look up to see Taj watching me with raised eyebrows.“Everything okay?”

“Yeah.”I set my phone on the coffee table.“It is now.”I grimace.“I didn’t want him to drive me home, and he was a little...”

“Pissed?”

“No.”I shake my head.“If he’d been pissed about it, I probably wouldn’t see him again.”

“Good girl.”

“He was more hurt, I think.He thought I was giving him the brush-off, and I wasn’t, I was just being careful.”

“He doesn’t know about what happened.”

“No.And I’m not going to tell him.Anyway, I texted him to let him know I did want to see him again.So we’re going out on Saturday.He’s away on a road trip until then.”

“You really like this dude?”

“I do.I mean, we’re just getting to know each other.He seems great.”I purse my lips.“I’m just still...gun-shy, I guess.”I pause.“He told me about some bad news he just got about his dad.We talked about it and I felt touched that he would open up to me about that.But then I thought, what if it’s a big story designed to soften me up and make me feel sorry for him?”

Taj squints.“Ah, Ary.”

“I know, I know.I can’t help it, though.”

“I get it.Just take things slow...there’s no harm in going out and having some fun.It’s up to you how far it goes.”

“Right.”I nod.“Good advice.Well.I’m going to bed.I have a ten o’clock class tomorrow.”

I wash my face and get ready for bed.Then, in the dark, under the covers, I relive nearly every moment of our date, remembering the way Harrison looked at me, how he seemed nervous at first, which I was too, the vulnerability he revealed when he talked about his dad.

I want to believe in him.I really, really do.I just don’t know if I can.

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