Page 42 of The Sting of Love
“Not while I’m trying to replace him. I know in my heart I’ve been doing that, and that’s bad. People aren’t replaceable. You find love in different ways because everyone is different. I’m trying to remember that.” She grins. Those words can be applied in so many ways to me too. “That’s why I can tell you to enjoy whatever it is you have, and let go of the past. Take everything as it comes to you with a clear, open mind.”
It’s really good advice.
“I will. I… feel chemistry with Donny. I never felt that with William. Is that weird?”
“No. It just means you were never meant to be with William.”
I see that more and more every day. “Thanks for your support and advice. I’m grateful that I had you to run to.” I smile, and she laughs.
“You can run to me anytime, sugar.”
“Thanks. I want to do something while I’m here.”
“Like what?
“I was thinking I could help out in the restaurant,” I offer.
Lurlene waves me off. “No. No way. You don’t have to do that.” Her hair bounces as she tilts her head to the side. “You think you have to earn your keep? No way. This is a break for you.”
“I know, but I insist. I would love to help out, and it gives me a chance to spend more time with you. I think it would be cool. I could be your assistant or something.”
I couldn’t possibly just sit around the house for the next few months and act like the perpetual guest. Yesterday when I was thinking about how long I should stay here I decided I wouldn’t put an official timer on it. I thought of probably staying for the rest of the year, then I’ll think about whether I want to head home or not at that time. It’s October now so I’d have another two months to sort my head out before I’d have to make any kind of decision.
“Okay… you can do that if it makes you feel any better. There’s really no need though,” she says with a gentle smile.
“I want to.”
“Alright, come on by sometime this week, and we can think about what you can do.”
“Cool.”
The doorbell rings, and my nerves spike with heat. That’s him. At least I think it is. I glance at the clock and see it’s six thirty. If that’s Donny, he’s early.
I hope everything is okay. He sent me a message this morning, and maybe it was me finding things to worry about, but I sensed that something wasn’t too right. He didn’t say anything out of the ordinary. It was just a feeling I got.
“I’ll go get that. I’m sure that’s him,” I say, standing up. The dress floats across my legs as I walk.
“Have fun. I won’t wait up,” Lurlene teases with a saucy giggle. I look back at her and grin, shaking my head.
I rush down the stairs, excitement bubbling within me, but it deflates when I open the door and see Donny. There’s something in his eyes that lacks the usual vibrancy I’ve grown accustomed to when he looks at me, and he’s not dressed up for a dinner date. I didn’t expect him to be as dressed as me, but he looks casual in his biker jacket and Levi’s.
“Hi,” I say. Nerves fill my voice.
“Hi, Bella.” He reaches out to touch my face, and the way he strokes my cheek is like he’s trying to commit me to memory.
“Are you okay? You don’t seem like you’re… yourself.” I have to say it. There’s a feeling brewing deep in the pit of my stomach telling me something’s wrong.
“No, doll. I’m not like myself. Can we…go for a little walk?”
“A walk? Aren’t we going to dinner?”
“Plans have changed, and I just want to talk to you.” He presses his lips together.
“Okay… sure.” The tension in my stomach grows, and now I have that knowing feeling that whatever we had is over.
I know the ropes and what should happen now. My guard should be up, along with my shield to protect my heart. Why does my heart hold on, though, when he slips his arm around me and leads me out?
We walk out to the street, down to the park, and stop by the bench that overlooks the stream. He faces me, releasing his grip, and the moonlight shines down on him. His eyes have that otherworldly appearance again. This time, though, they have a metallic look to them that holds me in place.
