Page 93 of Just Another Meet Cute
At the mention of living with Aunt Sarah for over half a year, my excitement faded a bit. “What about Dad? Do you think he’ll be okay with living with them?”
“Who do you think convinced the Millers that condo living was the way to go?” The expression on her face was so bright that she was practically glowing with happiness. “He said that as long as we’re happy, he doesn’t mind taking a few insults here and there. Besides, after what happened, I think Aunt Sarah will be on her best behavior. For a month or two, at least.”
Thinking of Aunt Sarah’s confession, I shook my head. “I think she might surprise you.”
“I hope so.” Letting go of me, Mom turned toward the car. “Do you want to go check out the Millers’ house? Dad’s over there waiting for us.”
I was already opening the passenger door. “Of course!”
A few seconds later, as I was snapping my seat belt on, I got a text from Kathy.
KATHY:Do you know what’s going on with Ian?
Not sure how much she knew—although knowing Kathy, I suspected she probably knew almost everything—I still hesitated before I responded.
NINA:What do you mean?
KATHY:He was all gloomy when he came home from the grocery store yesterday. I asked him if he saw you, but he said no and went upstairs.
KATHY:And then this morning, he went back to Dad’s before anyone woke up.
NINA:Wait, what?
KATHY:Yeah, he left without telling anyone. Even though he was supposed to stay the entire summer. And he won’t pick up any of our phone calls. Do you think you could try calling him?
KATHY:Nina?
KATHY:Hello???
KATHY:Nina?
A hand touched me and shook me out of my daze. I blinked and looked up at Mom’s concerned face. “Sorry, what?”
“I was asking if you wanted to pick up some takeout on the way home.” She reached out and stroked my bangs off my face. “Are you okay? You’ve been staring at your phone for the past few minutes.”
That was because I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Ianliterallyran away right after we kissed. That he did the only thing I’ve alwaysbeen afraid of. He made me care for him, depend on him, love him, and then left me behind.
Smothering the curse that immediately sprang to my lips, I shook my head and tucked my phone away. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
And this time I meant it. Iwasfine. Ian left and there was nothing I could do about it now. I had my own things to work on, my own family to lean on, and my own life to look forward to. And I could do it all with a broken heart.
Even though there was no chance of Ian and me getting together—because he ran away from me like a total jerk—I still needed to talk to Ryan and tell him the truth. I owed him that much at least.
Gah, this was going to totally suck.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were stopping by. Do you want to come in?” Ryan asked, his hand was already pushing the door wider for me.
Awkwardly tucking my hair behind my ears, I shook my head. “Uh, no, thanks. I was wondering … could we talk? Out here?”
He let out a low whistle. “Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound good. Should I be sitting down for this?”
I let out a weak laugh at his joke even though my stomach was churning like a blender with nerves. “It’s not a bad thing. I mean, I guess it kind of is, but when you really think about it and give it some time, it’s not.”
“Yeah, that definitely doesn’t sound good.”
Ryan pulled the door shut and came out onto the porch. I moved back as he swung himself to sit on the balcony railing in one fluid swoop like he had doneit a thousand times. Which he probably had. I knew better than to attempt it though. Knowing me, I’d hobble up and down awkwardly a couple of times or flop backward into the bushes.
Instead, I leaned against the column next to him and let out a deep breath. “So, I was thinking—”
