Page 117 of Before We're More Than Friends
“Could be better. It’s been a bad few days, honestly.” She focused on the computer, typing faster than usual. “Family stuff.”
Guilt pinched at me, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. “I’m sorry.” I scratched the back of my neck, heat flushing my face.
“Listen.” Her eyes, heavier than usual, finally met mine. “I don’t know the full story of what happened between you and Dallas, but I don’t want it to get in the way of anything. That’s for you and him to figure out.”
“Thanks.” I bit my lip. “I don’t know where we stand.”
“I know. But he still cares about you.” A smile spread across her face. “I remember when you first became pen pals, he spent hours in his room writing letters to you. He kept throwing them away until he got them right because he wanted them to be perfect for you.”
My heart, which had hardened the past two days, skipped a beat.Traitor.“He did?”
She nodded. “My husband complained that he was wasting paper and told him to be himself.” She sighed, staring at apicture of her and her family on a cruise. All four of them were smiling, the sea breeze blowing through their hair.
“That’s sweet of them,” I said, a knife twisting in my chest.
“It is.” Leanne sighed, taking off her glasses to rub her face. “Sorry.” She put her glasses back on. “It’s just been . . . hard. I know I’ve said this before, but I really feel like I made the wrong choice for my family. My husband wanted me to wait to move until summer so Kami could finish her senior year, but I had to accept the job offer before December.”
The ache in my chest expanded. “You didn’t make the wrong choice.”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head, looking at her computer again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be telling you this. It isn’t professional.”
“No, it’s okay. You need someone to talk to.”
She sighed. “It’s been lonely. I truly love it here at the shelter, but then I come home to get dragged down.”
“You don’t deserve that,” I said, my heart clenching. This woman who worked hard every day was hurting more than anyone else could see.
“It’s . . .” Leanne shook her head again. “There’s nothing I can do to change it now. It just breaks my heart sometimes.”
I nodded. “Boys are complicated. That’s why my parents stopped after two girls.”
Her lips curved in a small smile. “I don’t know, girls can be a lot, too.”
“Can’t deny that.” I laughed.
“Anyways, I should let you get to your next task,” Leanne said, typing on her keyboard. “I’m sorry for being a bit emotional.”
“You’re like your son.” I got up from my chair. “You apologize too much.”
She gave me a sad smile. “He gets it from me.” She hung herponytail over her shoulder. “I really hope you guys resolve things. You were so close.”
“We were . . .” The past tense made my heart ache. “. . .areclose.” I still didn’t forgive him yet, but talking to his mom reminded me of how passionate he was. How kind his eyes were and how shy he acted around me because he secretly liked—no,loved—me.
Gosh, don’t think about that! Don’t think of him that way!
“Not until you’re ready, of course,” Leanne said.
“Thank you.” I waved goodbye to her before opening the door and walking out?—
My head slammed against someone’s chest, and I looked up before letting out a groan. “Seriously?”
“Sorry.” Dallas backed away from me as if I was about to hurt him again. “I-I was just going to check on my mom.”
“Well, congrats for being such a great son,” I grumbled before storming out of the way.
“Sorry!” he called out again, but I didn’t look back at him. He really did apologize too much. And yet it still didn’t fix anything.
The spot where he’d bumped into me throbbed, and I rubbed my temples. Gosh, how could his chest be that hard?
