Page 38 of His North Star
Uh-oh. “Ty?” I asked quietly. “Are you okay?”
“Can we not talk about her?” He quickly glanced at me before turning back to the road. Pain flashed in his green eyes. “Just for tonight?”
“Why?”
“We’re taking a break. I don’t want to talk about it.”
I respected that. It was better than stringing her along, hoping that one day his feelings would magically change and he’d be ready to marry her. In my wildest dreams, Ty would love me as more than a sister. Looked like Lys and I would both end up disappointed in that regard.
“Okay,” I agreed.
“Thank you,” he said, relieved. He scratched his chin. “So, you and James, huh?”
I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I agreed to a date, that’s it. We’re not officially a couple or anything.”
“Are you happy?”
Compared to the last few months? Yeah. Compared to my life pre-Blake? No. Compared to what it would be like if Ty loved me? Heck no. I shrugged. “I like him, but between work picking up at the bed-and-breakfast and his unpredictable schedule, it’s been hard. The river rafting was our first and only date.”
He snorted. “Tell me about it. I’ve been trying to get him to go rafting with me for a month, and we still haven’t found the time to make it work.”
I smiled. Nothing like two people fighting for the same attention. Would James choose me over Ty? Would I even want him to?
“Yeah, he’s a busy guy,” I said.
“Well, I guess that’s what happens when you are everyone’s favorite.” Ty turned and winked.
A laugh burst out of me. He’d noticed James’s winking as well?
“Hey.” I leaned over and lightly punched his arm. “The same can be said about you.”
“Really?” He looked over at me with a raised brow. “You called me two hours ago and here I am.”
“That’s only because of your current situation with Lys.” I waved away his pity party. “Besides, if we’re going to play the Who Is Lamer game, I’ll win. Every time.”
“Is that really what you think about yourself?”
“Never mind. Let’s get back to karaoke.” I fiddled with his music, selecting a song I liked.
Ty whacked my hand away. “Nuh-uh. We’re talking about this.”
No, we weren’t. My limbs became heavy, as if every phrase Blake had hurled at me weighed me down. I’d never told anyone, especially not Ty, what Blake had said when he broke off our engagement. Though James had sensed something bad had happened, he hadn’t pushed for details. And I didn’t want Ty to have to choose sides. Or worse, defend Blake. Not that he would, but I’d rather not find out either.
“About what?” I said innocently.
“Do you honestly believe you’re lame?”
I shrugged as I fought back a sudden bout of tears. My insecurities from my breakup flared out of nowhere at times. I honestly had been doing better in the last few weeks. But on occasion, I’d get whammied. What answer could I possibly give him?
“Why?” He asked incredulously. He shot me hisyou have got to be kidding melook.
I slid down in my seat. “I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“I’m legitimately flabbergasted right now. You are one of the coolest people I know. Seriously, Mare, I—“ he paused, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he looked at me with such tenderness in his eyes. “I wish you saw yourself like I do. You’re amazing.”
I snorted. “That’s because you’ve known me for so long.”
“That helps, but it’s not the only reason.” He reached over and shook my shoulder. “Where did you get this crazy idea from?”
