Page 31 of When Forever Stays

I spend some time in my Bible, praying over Oscar, Ashley, and Dana. Asking God to light the path of His will because right now I feel like I'm wandering through the darkest wilderness.

TWELVE

DANA

“Do you think it’s wise to go out with Rhett so soon after his memories have returned?” Rosa asks.

“You’re killing my excitement,” I say from inside my closet.

“I’m not trying to; I’m asking if you really think you’re ready for this. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Rhett is bad for you. You’ve just been hurt so many?—”

“I’ll be protecting my heart the whole time.” I step out of my closet wearing a simple outfit of jean shorts and a floral tank top and primp a little in my mirror.

“Have you prayed about this?”

I meet Rosa’s gaze in the mirror as I adjust my shirt’s neckline. “I have.” It’s true, I have prayed, and the whole idea has built cautious excitement. I meant what I told Rhett—we need to get to know each other better this time around. So I prayed that God would give me the ability to focus on building a friendship with Rhett and not fall into his arms too quickly. “It’s not a date. He’s taking me out as a friend.”

Rosa’s shoulders visibly relax. “That’s good.” She nods, and I can practically see the wheels turning in her brain as if she’s deciding whether she should say what’s really on her mind or not. After a resigned sigh, she adds, “I didn’t want to tell you this before, but I think I need to. You know I don’t like going off of feelings since feelings can be deceitful, but there’s something about him that feels…off. Almost like he’s hiding something.”

That’s all it takes for a seed of doubt to plant itself in my chest, but I don’t admit that to Rosa. “Maybe you feel that way because of what happened before. Then finding out he has a son. I think we’re all a little off balance.” I told Rosa about Oscar shortly after she arrived. She knows everything. Which is probably why she feels the way she does.

Rosa sighs. “Maybe.”

I turn away from the mirror to face my friend. “Look, I know this is all…bizarre, but none of it has feltwrong. Instead, it all somehow feels right. It’s as if all these seemingly insignificant puzzle pieces are finding their way together. As if God is actively organizing this mess of a puzzle.” I ignore the hint of doubt from her previous words and work on convincing myself and Rosa that this is the right way to handle things. Lifting a hand, I tick the reasons off on my fingers. “I was the one who found him on the beach. I was the only person available to him when he had a nightmare in the middle of the night. I was the one he’s felt comfortable with since waking up on shore. It’s all led up to here.” The doubt I once felt fades into the background, still present but not making me actively question myself.

Rosa nods in understanding. “I’m not trying to question your choices or makeyouquestion your choices. I just want you to take a step back and look at all of this critically and—moreimportantly—through the lens of God’s will.” She takes a deep breath. “And I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

Those words are like a dagger straight to my heart. Rosa and Olivia are the two people I’ve run to each time a man chooses another woman over me. Rosa has always been beside me, comforting me and telling me it will all be okay. Crew is always there too, but his support usually includes asking me if I want my exes “taken care of” like he’s some top-secret mafia hitman.

I release a shaky breath. “I know. And I appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me. You don’t need to worry about that happening because Rhett and I are going out as friends. Nothing more.”

“Are you absolutely sure about that?” She pierces me with a look.

I stare out my window, thinking of how to best answer her. He definitely wanted a kiss earlier today, and it took all my self-control to turn him down. Everything about him is so tempting, but I know I need to set boundaries around my heart. Which means my lips need to keep to themselves. “I’ll make double sure that’s clear tonight.”

When I turn to face her again, Rosa gives me a half-smile, stands, and walks over to me. She places one hand on my shoulder. “Okay, you have a good time then.”

I still feel uneasy about some of what she said, but I shake it off and smile in return.

“You look absolutely stunning. Have I told you that tonight?” Rhett asks as he helps me into my chair.

We’re at the rustic restaurant we went to on our first date. Even though we’re not on a date this time, I’ve come to love this place—plus they have the best spinach and artichoke dip.

“Several times.” I laugh. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” I motion to him from head to toe before he takes his own seat. Rhett wears his thirty-six years well, the deep smile lines around his mouth only enhancing his appeal. The way he wears those dark wash jeans and button-down gray dress shirt has my heart pounding faster. When he sits, he rolls up his sleeves, showing off his impressive forearms.

This isn’t a date. We’re here just as friends.I create an internal chant, hoping that at some point, I’ll actually believe it.

The struggle started from the moment he picked me up. He met me at my door and took me down to his truck where he opened his truck door for me and helped me in. Once he got in on his side I gave him a warning look.

“You didn’t need to get my door. This isn’t a date.”

“My mama raised a gentleman. I’m just doing what she’d expect me to.”

I melted a little as he said it. Clearly, he loves and respects his mom. It’s safe to say a man like that will treat his woman well when he respects his mom.

Once we order our drinks and choose what we want to eat—including the spinach and artichoke dip—Rhett leans forward. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You easily couldhave walked right past me on that shore, but you didn’t. You stopped and helped me, the guy who hurt you.”

My throat thickens. “You don’t need to keep thanking me. I just did what I felt called to do.”

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