Page 49 of The Jilted Lovers Club
“You’re doing that broody-silent-farm-boy thing again.”
I look up, and there’s Michael, who sets his coffee on the table and takes the seat across from me. I’m in no mood to visit, but I nod at him anyway.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Oh man, you’ve got it bad.”
I level a look at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because she’s written all over your face.”
Jordy. Fuck.
I look out the window again, neither confirming nor denying. But then I realize Michael spent a whole evening with Jordy. Knowing his prying nature, I’m dying to know what they talked about.
“You’re going to have to be more specific,” I say, praying he’ll stop with the riddles and just spell out whatever he’s hinting at.
“Nice try.” He takes a sip from his mocha, then eyes me. “Why don’t you tell me what’s putting you in such a foul mood. You’d think you’d be happy.”
I tilt my head. “And why would I be happy?”
Michael purses his lips, then raises his eyebrows. Then he says NOTHING.
Fuck, this game is getting old.
We both sit in silence for a while, just sipping our coffee and staring out the window. I’m ready to cave, to tell him everything. He knows something and isn’t telling me.
I hold my breath as I swallow every word that bubbles into my throat.
Finally, I blurt out, “She’s driving me crazy” at the same time that he says, “You know she has a thing for you.”
“Wait.” I gape at him. “What?”
“She’s driving you crazy?” He appears wounded, his hand at his chest like I’ve stabbed him.
“No, not like that.” I shake my head. “I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s in my house, and it’s like I miss her when she’s right in front of me. And today, she was holding my child and all I could think of was how I wanted this in my life forever. Her. Me. My daughter. The three of us as a family. Even as I feel like I’m falling apart, I’m also very aware that this is not real. She’s been in my house for not even two weeks. I don’t know her favorite color, her mother’s name, or what her middle name is.”
“Her mom’s name is Lillian, and Jordy’s middle name is Danielle, which I assume is for her father Dan. Her favorite color … no clue.”
“How the fuck do you know that?”
Michael peers at me. “Dude, Google is your friend. You should cyber stalk anyone you take in like a stray.”
I roll my eyes, even as I know he has a point.
“So, are you going to let her know how you feel so you can stop the brooding?”
I shake my head. “What’s the point? She’s almost done with this job. In a couple weeks, she’s headed back to New York. My whole life is here, and hers is there. There’s no way I can make a long-distance thing work, not with Lottie and the farm.”
“And you’ve discussed this with her?”
I huff. “Come on, man. You of all people know I can’t.”
Michael sits back in his chair. “Me of all people. And why is that?”
I can see I’ve offended him, but I’m not willing to back down. “Yes, you of all people. I don’t see you out there on the dating scene anymore, not after Dominic fucked you over the way he did.”
He looks out the window, his usual self-righteousness stripped from his face, a somber expression in its place. “Fucking asshole exes,” he mutters. Then he looks at me with a small smile. “Okay. So you’re being cautious so you don’t get hurt. But what if you’re missing out on what could be the best thing in your life? You don’t even know where her head is at.”
