Page 40 of The One for Forever

“You’re hardly a stranger.”

We’re family, I remind myself. Ugh. It’s even worse than being friend zoned.

I unlock Rex’s phone. The screen opens on some sort of texting app. There’s a conversation visible. And I don’t mean to look, I swear. But the words just jump out and into my brain.

Then I promptly choke on my tongue.

Some woman named Denise texted him.I hope this isn’t too forward, but I’d love to meet you in person. Are you free tomorrow night? I keep staring at your photos, and I can’t wait to see if you’ve got that six-pack in person. We can meet up at my place.

I throw the phone into the cupholder like it’s a poisonous snake. “Oh my God. I’m…um…”

Rex’s head turns sharply toward me, then back to the road. Then to me again. “What is it? What happened?”

“I didn’t mean to read it. I’m so sorry. “

Keeping his eyes on the road, Rex grabs the phone. He glances at it long enough to check the screen. Then he drops it again, his expression almost as mortified as the one that must be on my face.

“I didn’t realize I’d left the app open.”

“It’s okay.” It is nowhere near okay, but I’m not going to say that. “It’s none of my business anyway. If you’re planning a hookup or whatever. Totally cool.”

Crap, why can’t I stop talking?

Rex is coughing, which started around the time I mentioned the word hookup. “It’s nothing. Just a stupid app I downloaded. I was thinking about how it’s been eleven years almost since Lydia died, and I’ve barely dated at all. Seemed like maybe it was time.”

Chills cascade across my skin like the beginnings of a fever. Nausea crawls up my throat. “That’s great. You should.”

He frowns at the windshield. “I don’t know. The app was a bad idea. I’ve barely even looked at it.”

“But you were texting with her,” I pointed out. “She wants to meet up.”

“I have no intention of meeting her.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m…not so sure I’m interested.”

“Oh. Fair enough. I’m sure there are tons of women on the app. So many to choose from. You might get a better offer.” I force my mouth shut so I’ll stop spewing verbal garbage. Also so I won’t throw up from the thought of Rex going to that woman’s house and showing her his six-pack.

He has a six-pack?

“What about you? Are you…seeing anyone?” Rex asks, shifting the subject away from him. Though the odd tone in his voice suggests he doesn’t really want to know.

“Not me. I am perpetually single. But maybe I’ll download an app, too. See what kind of options are out there.”

He makes a low grumbling sound, his knuckles going white as he chokes the steering wheel.

The cabin of his truck goes quiet after that. Neither one of us mentions calling Sylvie. I slump in my seat, praying that now is the moment that my superpowers of invisibility kick in.

I knew this day would come eventually. It took him a long time to be ready to date after losing the love of his life. But it had to happen. A man like Rex has no business being alone in life.

Yet that rational knowledge doesn’t dull the sharp ache in my chest.

I just want it to stop. For this painful longing togo away. I’m so frustrated with myself, so fed up with my ridiculous heart, that I want to scream.

But I have to sit there in silence, pretending I’m not about to crack down the middle.

The miles inch by until we’re finally back in West Oaks, and he’s pulling into the parking lot of the district attorney building. We head inside. The halls are busy with people leaving for the day. I’m often one of the last ones to leave, and today will be no exception.

---