Page 49 of His North Star
“Which is how, exactly?” I stood up straighter, intrigued despite questioning his sanity. And eyesight.
“As if you’re his entire universe. You’d be a fool to let him go.”
“But,” I sputtered. Never in a million years would Ty look at me like that. Or had he? It was dark! How had Phillip and Mrs. Sheffield seen thislook? I was with James now. Why was I bent out of shape about hisgaze,anyway?
Phillip hugged me before opening his car door. Once inside, he rolled down the window. “Think about it. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
I nodded. Really, what had gotten into everybody?
“What were you two talking about for so long?” Ty asked as he came up behind me.
I turned to face him, locking my gaze on his. Would his eyes reveal his feelings? Could I see what Phillip and Mrs. Sheffield had?
My brows creased as I searched Ty’s face. The darkness concealed what I searched for. No way was Phillip or Mrs. Sheffield right.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Ty asked.
“Nothing,” I said flatly. “Absolutely nothing.”
“You and Ty were out late last night. What were you up to?” Mom asked while we were in the lodge’s laundry room folding beach towels.
“Looking at the stars.”
“Did you discover anything new?”
Yes. That the older generation doesn’t know how to read body language anymore.
“No, unfortunately. But…” I hesitated, setting the towel I’d been folding on the table in front of me. “Have you ever noticed Ty looking at me weird?”
Her brow furrowed. “Weird how?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “There have been a few occasions lately where people have mistaken us for a couple.”
A knowing smile formed on her lips. “I see.”
“Anyway”—I picked my towel back up, bringing the corners together—“last night made me wish James was there. I haven’t seen him in weeks and I’m starting to wonder if I’m a lost cause.”
James was sweet. We had fun when we were together. And his handsome face was hard to forget. Yet, the more time that passed, I questioned our connection and my sanity. A horrible thought kept nagging at me as well. What if James kept his distance because he didn’t actually like me? What if, like Blake, after I said yes, the chase was over? He’d won by capturing his prey and now wanted nothing to do with me? But how else was I supposed to find someone to love all of me? If I fled at the first sign of trouble, I’d be single forever. Maybe I was being too hard on James. Maybe I needed to show my interest more. Call him more often. Exercise more. Suggest our next date be something wild, like bridge jumping. Even though I’d rather get my annual exam with my gynecologist than fling myself into a chasm of death.
“First off, you are not a lost cause,” Mom assured. “Second, be patient with James. After he’s been at the clinic for a year, I’m sure he’ll find a better balance.”
“A year?” I groaned.
Mom chuckled. “It’ll go by fast. Although, you could make a bold move and show up at his house after work one night.”
What if he had a date planned with someone else and I interrupted? We never said we were exclusive. I wrinkled my nose and shook my head. “Possibly. Any other ideas?”
“If he’s who you really want, then I have a few.” She waggled her brows suggestively.
I almost gagged. Gross. “What do you mean,ifhe’s who I want?“ I asked. “I just said I like him.”
“Yes, you did, but you need to decide whether you like him enough to endure the ride.”
“That’s hard to know when we haven’t seen one another in a while.”
“Well,” Mom said with her all-knowing smile, “then you need to make time for one another. If you both are truly invested in this relationship, you’ll find ways to see one another. You’ll sacrifice sleep, friends, alone time, whatever it is that’s holding you back. James should be your number one. If he’s not, then is he really the right one for you?”
Huh. Ty always came when I needed him. James? Not so much. But if I asked James to prioritize me, would he? I guess there was only one way to find out. “I get your point. I’ll make a bigger effort to see him again.”
