Page 89 of Give Me Love

The woman keeps smiling at me like she knows something I don’t, but never has she said anything else about it. She comes over, cleans, cooks, fills my cabinet with my favorite foods, makes small talk about Pops and Monnie, and then goes about her day…except for that smile.

I look down. “What is it you want to know?”

“Well, you’ve had women over before, but they’ve never slept on your couch. Are you not interested in her?”

“She’s just a friend.”

She lifts her brow when I look up at her. “I’ve never known you to have a woman as a friend. In fact, I’ve never known you to see the same woman more than once.”

“That’s changed.” I notice Mom has gone completely quiet, so I assume she must be asleep.

“You know it’s okay to have a relationship with a woman, Bryson.”

“Is friendship not some sort of a relationship?”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” She kicks my foot. We sit quietly for a moment, and then she says, “I like her.”

“You don’t know her.”

“Still, I can tell she’s a good person.”

I roll my eyes and gaze up at the ceiling, thinking about how I walked out on Kathrine last night.

Thinking about that kiss.

She’ll break me, and as much as I know that, I can’t stay away from her. She hasn’t called today. I’m sure she’s beyond pissed, and from the look in her eyes, hurt.

I’m an asshole.

“Has she been back here?” Lou asks.

“No.”

“But you’ve gone on a date?”

“It wasn’t a date. We went and saw a movie…as friends,” I emphasize.

This time she rolls her eyes. “Bryson Grant, if you think she didn’t see that as a date, you’re a fool and I know my nephew is no fool.”

I sigh. “Lou, you know I don’t do girlfriends. It’s too complicated. My life is private. I have a lot going on.”

“Life is no fun when it’s all work,” she argues. “You need someone to share it with. Share your secrets and fears.”

“I have my family for that.”

“You don’t tell us everything, Bryson.” She looks distraught. “You’re just so alone, and we worry about you.”

“Who’s we?” I ask, knowing it has to be Emily.

“Emily was telling me the other day she wished you’d get yourself a girlfriend.”

I shake my head. “You and Emily don’t need to worry about me.”

“We’re women. We worry. It’s just what we do, and you’re not getting any younger.”

I laugh. “So, this is about my age then?”

She exhales. “No, this is about you being happy.”

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