Page 49 of Old Fashioned
I wished she was in the vicinity to smack her.
“Gab, be real. Do you not see every single thing wrong with this scenario? Because they’re like flashing neon lights to me.”
“So what, he’s your boss,” she said, as if that didn’t matter. “First of all, there aren’t anyofficialrules that say you can’t date.”
“No,” I agreed. “But it’sverymuch implied. And could you imagine? I’m the first female to ever be on this staff, and rumor gets around that I’m sleeping with the head coach? And, on top of that, I’m already the villain in my divorce with Randy.”
I lowered my voice on that last part, as if someone would hear me and the gossip that Stratford was so well known for would begin before I had the chance to thwart it.
Gabby sighed. “Yeah… I guess you have a point. What if you kept it on the down low? I mean, do you think it’s serious?”
Her question made my stomach tie violently into a knot the size of a basketball. “I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I mean… I guess I’d probably be naïve to believe it is, wouldn’t I? I’m a single mom with the Police Chief as an ex-husband.” I scoffed. “Pretty sureno oneis lining up to enter into a relationship with me.”
“First of all, Paige is not baggage. If anything, she adds to your hot factor because she’s adorable and sassy and fun,” Gabby said, and I could picture her holding up her stiletto-nailed fingers as she counted off. “And secondly,youare a catch. Your dumbass ex-husband is in your past, and he has no effect on who you are now.”
I sighed, flopping down into one of the lounge chairs that was usually in the sun. Today was an overcast day, though, as fall as it could feel, and I wrapped myself up in my long cardigan sweater against the cool morning air. “Maybe it’s me who’s scared,” I admitted. “Maybe the thought of opening myself up to a man again makes me shrink in terror.”
“That breaks my heart, sis.”
I shrugged, though she couldn’t see me. “It’s true.”
A long silence passed between us before Gabby spoke again. “Well, I hope that one day you open yourself up to the possibility of letting yourself be happy again. But, if this is really how you feel, then I say keep it casual. Have the conversation with Jordan and let him know where you’re at.”
“Casual…” I repeated, testing the word on my lips. “As in, a booty call, a hookup, a friend with benefits that no one knows about.”
“Exactly.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Why does that make me feel dirty?”
At that, Gabby barked out a laugh. “Welcome to the modern world of dating, where no one is happy and everyone pretends to be fine with no strings attached.”
My stomach soured, but I didn’t know what other option there was. Jordan couldn’t possibly want something serious with me, and even if he did, we couldn’t possiblybeserious. We worked together, I had a kid, and my ex was a psycho.
Three strikes, as they say.
“You also don’t have to make any decisions right now,” Gabby added. “You know?”
“Yeah…” I agreed, but my chest tightened as if to sayyou better make some decisions before we have a panic attack, bitch.
Suddenly, Paige jumped up from the couch inside and ran to the front door, voice loud and boisterous as she greeted Jordan. He was smiling down at her, giving her a high five for something she was telling him.
In the other hand, he held a bouquet of flowers.
“Shit…”
“What?” Gabby asked.
“Jordan just got here. He’s working with Paige today.”
“Yeah… you told me that. But why the curse word?”
“He brought flowers.”
“Shit…”
We were both silent for a moment, and Jordan’s eyes found mine through the window. The way the sunlight shined through the thick clouds that day illuminated those blue eyes of his, and the brown around his iris looked almost gold.
He crooked a sideways smile, and I melted.
