Page 11 of Love on the Line

“Yeah, you could say that. I’m trying tofindmeagain, and figure out what’sgoing to make me happy. Sounds pathetic, huh?”

“Not at all. Everyone goes through periodswhere they need to reevaluate their life, their goals. Life is anything butstatic, AJ.”

“I’m learning that the hard way,” shemumbled quietly.

But not quietly enough when Mathias asked,“Does this have to do with a relationship gone bad?”

AJ sighed, not really wanting to get intothat just yet, if ever. So once again she tried to cheerfully glaze over thesubject. “Yep, but we aren’t going to get into that right now because you’regoing to tell me all about your next planned adventure.”

Mathias chuckled. “I am, am I?”

“Yes, you are.”

“Well,okey-dokey.”

He went on to tell AJ besides Glacier Baynear Juneau, Alaska, andWatertonGlacier, at theMontana-Canada border, the only other western site he had not visited yet werethe Hawaiian Volcanoes. His trip was booked in November.

“You’re going to Hawaii in November? Howlucky!”

“Yeah, I usually take a trip about everythree months. Breaks up the monotony of life.” He chuckled.

“Hashtag first-world-problems,” AJ joked,causing Mathias to laugh. “So before or after Thanksgiving?”

“Um, well, during.”

“During? You don’t spend the holiday withfamily?”

Mathias remained quiet and AJ thoughtshe’d have to coerce more out of him. But he resumed, his words making her sad.

“If I had family, I’d spend it with them.”And just as AJ was poised to say something to express her sorrow, Mathiasquickly continued. “And don’t feel sorry for me, AJ. I’ve spent some holidayswith friends in the past, but I’ve come to realize I like spending them on myown, usually traveling.”

“Okay,” she replied softly.

“Justokay?You aren’t going to grill me for more?”

“Nope. Guess we both have some issues we’drather not talk about right now. If you want to say more, I’m here to listen. Andif not, I understand.”

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it havingan issue, but thank you. It’s just a fact of my life and I’ve come to termswith that. I really am a happy guy.”

“Okay.”

Mathias chuckled. “You really aren’t likea lot of women I know. Most would be trying hard to console me, or prying me totell them my woes.”

AJ snorted. “Well, I guess I’ll take thatas a compliment.”

“You should. I’m going to enjoy getting toknow more about you, Amelia Jane.”

After a few more stories were exchanged,they had called it a night, rather reluctantly it seemed. They made plans forMathias to call AJ Monday evening when he was free, considering AJ’s schedulewas a bit loose lately.

Thinking about that made her realize shehad to get her crap together, or risk losing a promising future with thecompany. She wouldn’t sacrifice all the hard work she’d put in because of theactions of a no-good selfish prick.

Yeah, she could look back now and see whata lazy bottom-feeder Brad had been. Too bad it took such an awful incident forher to see the real him.

On the other hand, AJ could admit she wasglad it happened before their relationship progressed any further, like intomarriage.

Sheesh,what a nightmare that would’ve been.

Sure, she still hurt, although the stinglessened as each day went by, and her ego bruised, but it was past time to stopletting the jerk’s actions continue to influence her. This was her life andshe’d take charge of it.

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