Page 62 of Christmas with the Cowboy
He let out a short breath. “I came by to make sure we’re on the same page.”
Trenna spread her hands. “Tell me where you are, and I guess we’ll see.”
“I love being with you.”
The words were a preface to something grimmer, and she lowered herself down to perch on the arm of the sofa as she waited for the rest. Instinct told her she’d rather be sitting than standing.
“But the timing…”
“Could be better,” she agreed.
“I’ve never introduced Lex to the women I’ve dated over the years. Even the ones I had relationships with. It was easy, what with me living on the ranch, to keep my social life and my family life separate, but now…”
“What’s wrong with her meeting the women you dated?”
“It felt weird. And you can see how she warms up to people. It seemed wrong to have her get used to having someone around, get attached, then have that person disappear.”
“I can see that when she was younger, but she’s a teen, Reed.”
“A young teen. Which is an emotional time, if I remember correctly.”
“It is.”
“I won’t shortchange her, and I don’t know how to juggle the two sides now that I’m the caretaker.”
“Did you ever talk to Candice about this?”
“I…no. I did not discuss my dating protocols with my ex.”
“Maybe you should have.”
“Here’s the thing—Lex needed me last night and I wasn’t there.”
“Your mom was.”
“Ishould have been there. I have a responsibility, and Lex has to be my primary focus.”
Trenna studied her hands as the truth hit her. This was it. The sign from the universe she’d been waiting for. The indication of what she needed to do.
She looked up, meeting his gaze squarely. “I’m considering a job on the other side of the country.”
“Really.” The emotion that played across Reed’s face as he spoke was not the relief Trenna had expected. It read more like confusion. Or maybe déjà vu because she was leaving him again. But in this case, he’d started the process, so she wasn’t the bad guy. Not that she felt any better because of it.
“When did this happen?” he asked.
“Not long ago.” She described Dr. Gilbert’s call and her sense that if she applied, she’d land the position. “It’s not one hundred percent, of course, but he is my mentor, and he likes working with me.”
“Were you going to tell me about it?”
“Not if I didn’t apply,” she said before meeting his eyes. “I didn’t want you to think that I gave up the perfect job for”—she gestured—“you.”
“So you are applying?”
“This is a huge opportunity.”
And there you are, Reed. Set free.
Reed’s mouth flattened, as if he didn’t trust himself to speak, so Trenna forged on, strengthening her case with a dose of truth she’d been tamping down because she didn’t want to acknowledge it. “I’ve been lying to myself, Reed. I can’t continue being in limbo with you, not even for spectacular sex. It’s not enough.”
