Page 51 of The Broken Heart Playlist
“There’s something happening here, Kate.” He gestures back and forth between us. “It’s happening, whether you like it or not.”
“I’m not ready,” I tell him.
“I know,” he replies gently.
We sit in silence for a while.
I work up the courage to form my next words. “Gideon,” I whisper, feeling painfully vulnerable, “don’t stop asking me out.”
He holds my gaze. “I won’t,” he promises me. “I’ll keep asking. And one day you’ll say yes.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
On Tuesday, when I pick up Lisset from school, my stomach drops the moment I spot Laura, Lisset’s teacher, standing beside her, clearly wanting to speak with me. Her presence can only be bad news and I’m right. Offering me an apologetic smile, Laura pulls me aside to tell me that Lisset no longer wants to participate in the Reading Dog Program.
“But didn’t you say her first session last week went well?”
“It did,” Laura confirms. “But today, for some reason, Lisset was dead set against it.”
“Did she say why?”
Her teacher sighs. “No, and we don’t want to force the issue. Let’s give her some time. We’ll try again next week.”
On the drive home, I try to broach the subject with Lisset, but she bursts into angry tears and I decide to drop the matter. At least for now. What on earth happened?
When I pull into the driveway, Lisset throws herself out of the car and rushes up the stairs to her room. I debate following her to try to get to the bottom of what’s going on, but in so many ways my daughter is a mirror image of me. When we’re upset, we want to be left alone to wail and rage.
I let out an unhappy sigh. Even though it goes against my instincts as a mother, I understand Lisset well enough to give her the time and space she needs.
I start preparing dinner, my mind whirling, the pressure inside me building. Just when I thought we were making progress, this happens.
I’m stirring the sauce into the gnocchi when the doorbell rings.
“Hey,” Gideon says when I open the door.
Seeing him standing on my porch, looking rugged and competent and concerned, I feel a stinging behind my eyes that tells me I’m seconds away from bursting into tears. And I never, ever cry in front of anyone.
I bury my face in my hands.
Without a word, Gideon closes the gap between us and pulls me gently against his chest, wrapping his strong arms around me and encasing me in his warmth. At first, I stand stiffly, panic sniffing around me, trying to nudge its way in. But Gideon is holding me in a way that lets me know I can pull free anytime. I close my eyes and concentrate on the soft fabric of his T-shirt against my cheek, the measured, steady beat of his heart in my ear. Slowly, slowly, the turmoil inside me eases. I should be uncomfortable, but it’s with a sense of wonder I realize I feel...safe.
It’s not lost on me this is the first time he’s touched me. And that I’m allowing it.
I don’t know how much time passes before I haul in a deep breath and straighten. He immediately drops his arms to his sides. I step back, putting distance between us.
“How’s Lisset doing?” he asks.
“Honestly, I don’t know. She’s not talking.” I push my hair wearily out of my eyes. “What happened today?”
“I’m not sure. She wouldn’t attend the session.”
I raise my palms in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know what to do.”
“We’ll work something out,” he murmurs.
“What?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’m not giving up on her.”
