Page 91 of Teach Me How

“In Boulder?” I squint into the distance. A baker’s hawk is spiraling slowly on an updraft, searching for prey. “Yeah, man. She’ll be fine. She’s a tough cookie. And besides, Mitch is out there.”

Josh frowns. “Just so long as Mitch keeps his paws off her.”

“As much as it pains me to say about that knucklehead, he’s a pretty good guy. She could do worse.”

Me, for example.

He narrows his eyes. “You know something I don’t know? Is that why she’s moving?”

“No.” I say quickly. “I’m just saying she could match up with worse men than Mitch.”

His shoulders ease slightly. “Yeah, I know. It’s just… she’s my little sister, you know?”

Guilt works its way up my throat until it’s tight and hard to speak. “Yeah. I know.”

“I guess I’ll have to let her go, eventually. Let all three of them go.” He peers at me. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Doesn’t seem like you’ve been going on as many dates lately. Don’t tell me you gave up.”

“Nah,” I mutter. “I’ve just been busy.”

It’s funny, married people can’t stand to see someone living alone. They act like they’ve got the market cornered on happiness and take an evangelistic approach to getting all us singles married.

But from where I’m standing, those marriages result in strife more often than not. Doesn’t sound like a sure-fire recipe for bliss. And yet, it’s the easiest path to a family. To a home.

I wasn’t looking for love when Reese and I struck our bargain. I just wanted to move on to the next phase of life. That next phase requires a wife.

My plan hasn’t changed. I just got temporarily derailed by the madness of love.

I didn’t think I’d fall for Reese, but if I’m completely honest with myself, I’d have to admit that I’ve had my eye on her for a long time. Probably since the accident back in high school. Reese was the one person who didn’t look at me with pity. The one person who didn’t try to tell me what to do, because what the hell did any of them know about having your leg crushed? What did they know about being the reason your dad can never play the guitar again?

I appreciated that about her.

That meant something to me.

But we’re ships passing in the night, wrong place, wrong time.

I don’t need love to survive. I need steadiness. I need a partner I can work with.

Josh gives me a careful look. “Erin has lots of cool friends back in Lincoln. You want me to see if any of them are single?”

“No.” My response is clipped. I clear my throat. “I think… I think I’ve already got someone in mind.”

61.

Reese

I lean up against the weathered picnic table, watching a compact car bounce down the lake’s uneven lane. We used to come here all the time as kids. And then as teenagers. Not a lot of choices in a small town, but the lake is pretty. I’ll give it that much.

Jonah pulls up next to my car. He climbs out, long body unfolding in front of me. Dark jeans, plain tee. He’s wearing a worn, leather bomber jacket that probably won’t do shit to keep the chilly November air at bay.

At least he’s got his shirt on.

Shoving his hands deep in his pocket, he stops in front of me. “You always did love your walks. Neither rain, nor snow...”

I give him a wry smile and push off the picnic table. “Shall we?”