Page 12 of Let Me

She yawns loudly, then asks, “How was your date?”

“That’s what I was calling to talk to you about.So, turns out it wasn’t a date.”

“Then what was it?”

“It was me hanging out with Judah and his friends around a freakin’ bonfire in the middle of the woods, drinking beer.Well, I didn’t drink any beer.I had water, but they were all sipping and talking.And get this—his group offriendsconsists of more women than men, by the way, and they all came over to introduce themselves to me, telling their special stories of how they met Judah.By the way they were talking, you’d think the man was a saint.You should’ve seen them, Riley.They all looked like they were in love with the man, but for some reason, he turned them all down and requested nothing but friendship.And these women—you should’ve seen them.They’re all beautiful.Every last one of them.I’m talking supermodel beautiful – even the crazy one that was staring at the moon for most of the night.”

“Wait—do you think he’s sleeping with these women?It’s giving orgy.”

“That’s what I thought, at first, but after talking to them, I found out that Judah informed them all that he’s not interested in a relationship.He told them the same thing he told me—he likes to surround himself with good people.”

“This is crazy.”

“Tell me about it…”

“I mean, I saw the way you two interacted at the ice cream shop,” Riley recalls.“There was definitely some sparks there.”

“There wasn’t.He was just being nice.Apparently, it’s what he does.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because the girls at the campfire confirmed it by telling me their stories of the nice things he did for them.And one of them said she might’ve overheard him say he had cancer, which would explain why he steers clear of relationships.”

“Oh, wow.Do you think that’s true?”

“I don’t know.”

“I wouldn’t believe anything unless it came directly out of his mouth.”

“It doesn’t matter.I don’t think I’m going to see him anymore.”

“Come on, Autumn.You give up waaaay too easily, girlfriend.”

“Perhaps I should call you after the liquor wears off.”

“Unt un—don’t do that.I only had two drinks.I know what I’m talking about.You’re giving up.Face it.”

“I’m not giving up,” I respond, irritation settling at my temples.“I’m moving on with life.That’s how this works.”

“No.That’s howyouwork.”

“You act like you’ve never met a guy who’s charming and gorgeous, and once you got to know him, he turned out not to be what you hoped.”

“We’ve all been there, but no ma’am.Thisis notthat.You met Judah for a reason.”

“Riley—”

“Do you deny it?”

I pull in the parking lot at my place and sigh heavily, feeling defeated.“No, I don’t, but everything isn’t supposed to besomething,if that makes sense.”

“Agreed, but this is something.I can feel it.I’m not telling you what to do.I just want to urge you to not cut the man off without exploring the situation a bit further.”

“Okay.Fine.If the situation presents itself, I may, but if it doesn’t, I’m not going to track him down.I’m not desperate to meet a man.”

“I know that, Autumn.Look—get some sleep.You sound tired.”

“I’m exhausted and I need to shampoo this smoke smell out of my hair, so I probably won’t get to bed until two.”

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