Page 48 of Protect My Heart
‘Pink is the wedding color?’
‘Pink and white to match the apple blossoms. We’re doing the pictures in the orchard.’
‘That’ll be pretty. Maybe I’ll look for a pink dress, unless you don’t want us matching.’
‘We can match. And whatever you buy, give me the bill. I’ll pay for it. You shouldn’t be paying for a dress for a wedding you didn’t even want to go to.’
‘I don’t mind going. I love weddings.’ I smile at Jason. ‘We had fun at the last one.’
‘Yeah.’ He clears his throat. ‘Maybe too much fun.’
‘Do you regret it?’
‘I don’t regret it. I just didn’t want it to end.’
‘I didn’t either,’ I whisper, gazing out the window.
Jason reaches over and takes my hand. ‘I wish we could’ve found a way to make this work. But I can’t move to Boston, Mia. I have a life here, and my family. I can’t—’
‘I know. I never expected you to.’
We continue the drive in silence until we reach Jason’s apartment. We go inside so he can change clothes, then leave again to go to the game.
* * *
‘Which one is yours?’ the woman next to me asks as we sit in the bleachers, watching the game. It just started, but the other team already scored.
‘Oh, I’m not a mom,’ I tell her, wondering how old she thinks I am. I hope I don’t look old enough to have a kid in high school.
She laughs. ‘Sorry, I said that wrong. I meant which one is your brother? I assumed you’re an older sister. You’re far too young to be a mom.’
‘I don’t actually know any of the players. I’m friends with Jason, the coach.’
She turns to me, smiling. ‘So Jason finally got himself a girlfriend? It’s about time. That man is so picky I was starting to think he’d never settle down. He’s dated just about every girl in town.’
‘Really?’ I ask, wanting her to tell me more.
‘He doesn’t date as much now, but when he was younger, he was going out all the time. It was like he was on a mission to find a wife. We all thought for sure he’d be married by now. But he just didn’t click with anyone I guess. Well, except you. How long have you two been seeing each other?’
‘We’re not dating. We’re just friends. I live in Madison. I’m only here for the day.’
She leans over to me, her eyes on the field. ‘If I were you, I’d snatch him up while you have the chance. He’s a great catch. I mean, look at him. Those muscles. Those eyes. That smile. And he’s great with the kids. They all love him. He’ll make a great father someday.’ She nudges me. ‘Friends can become more, if you know what I mean.’
‘I do. It’s just that I’m not staying here. I’m moving back to Boston in a few months.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame. Jason will never leave here. He loves Haydon Falls. Loves his students. His family. I’m sure he’ll find someone eventually. A man like that doesn’t stay single forever.’
My heart sinks hearing her say that. But she’s right. I’ll move away and Jason will find someone else. Someone he’ll marry andhave children with, but what does that mean forourchild? Will he still want to see him or her? I can’t imagine Jason not wanting to be part of his child’s life, but what if that changes when he has children with someone else?
The woman next to me jumps up. ‘Andrew, go! You’re almost there!’
I look up and see a kid trip and fall before reaching home base. That must be Andrew because the woman next to me, who must be his mom, slumps back down on the bleachers.
‘He trips every time,’ she says. ‘I love the kid, but baseball isn’t his sport.’
I watch as Jason goes over to the kid and consoles him. The kid looks at Jason like he’s the coolest guy ever. He’s right. So is the lady next to me who said Jason’s a great catch. I bet everyone in town would say Jason is great, but I still can’t have a future with him. Not when I’m moving away.
* * *
