Page 79 of Unsure in Love
Chris paused and nodded. “Yeah. I think you’re right.”
I smiled as I scribbled his name in my appointment book.
Watching Chris through the window of my shop as he strolled to his car, I sighed. I’d known Chris and Mandy since high school. They were high school sweethearts, and they were still going strong. A pang of longing hit me in the chest. I could no longer promote the idea that true love was a load of crap, not after experiencing it for myself. I’d spent a few weeks with Damian and tumbled head-first into love with the man.
How did I let that happen? Why did I? Now, being at home felt as if… I wasn’t home because I was so far from Damian. In an effort to wean myself from him, I decided to distance myself by not calling him.
I realized that my logic was flawed since avoiding someone does nothing to diminish the fact that they stole your heart. What was troubling was that he hadn’t called me either. I didn’t know if it was because he was hurt by my standoffish behavior, or if he was busy running his security empire. Maybe he just couldn’t be bothered with me anymore…
Fear grabbed my heart in its clutches. He’d been so good to me, so patient, and I pushed him away. It would serve me right if he gave up on me. Tears stung my eyes. “Why am I like this? Why can't I just be normal?”
“Finally, she admits that she’s a freak.”
Gasping, I spun around to see Tessa standing in the doorway. She grinned at me, but once she saw my face, her smile dropped.
“I’m kidding. You’re not a freak.”
I laughed and wiped away a tear. “I know, Tessa. Calm down.”
She hurried toward me, her face twisted into worried lines. “Cass, honey, what’s wrong?” Big brown eyes frantically searched my face as if she could somehow find what was wrong there.
I sniffed. “What are you doing here?” Not that I didn’t want to see my sister, but when I was near any of them, the guilt was heavy. They still had no idea I connected with our father. I adjusted my baggy black t-shirt. No one knew I had a bun in the oven either. I’d have to tell them eventually because soon, oversized clothes would do nothing to hide my bump.
She scoffed. “I’ve been worried about you. We all have.”
Tessa swept me up in a hug, and my entire body went taut. I even held my breath as I prayed she didn’t feel anything different about my body.
She pulled away with a frown.
I scurried around the counter to put distance between us. “Whatever for?” I almost winced at the high-pitched note in my voice. I’d become terrible at playing it cool.
Her gaze narrowed on my face. “You’ve been avoiding us.”
“I have not. I was getting settled after my trip.”
“You’ve been home for a week.”
“I had appointments…”
Tessa harrumphed and folded her arms over her chest. “Alright, missy. What the hell is going on with you? The truth.”
I snorted. “Since when are you all bossy-mom? That’s Lucy’s role.”
She rolled her eyes. “She’s pregnant, so it’s up to me to wrangle in you little rascals, especially you.”
After a beat of silence, I dissolved into laughter. “I can’t even deny that I’ve always been a hellion.”
Tessa grinned. “And that’s why we love you. And we’re worried about you. You’ve been less mischievous and more M.I.A lately.” Resting her arms on the counter, she sighed heavily. “Talk to me, Cass. What’s going on with you?”
I got knocked up during a one-night stand, found Dad, learned he’s an asshole, fell in love with my baby daddy, but left him without telling him how I feel because I’m a coward.
Of course, I couldn't tell Tessa all of that. But since I was on the verge of an anxiety attack, I had to let some of it out. “How long have you got, sister?”
She tilted her head to one side. “For you? As long as you need, baby girl.”
My heart melted. One thing I’d always taken comfort in—no matter how rough things got growing up—was that my sisters and I leaned on each other. I loved them so much, and I was terrified of hurting them with my news about Dad.
A few minutes later, Tessa and I lounged on my adjustable chairs. I’d put up the closed sign at the shop’s window and grabbed two cranberry juices from the mini-fridge. Tessa sipped while she watched me intently.