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“Yeah. I am. I’m sorry.”
“May I ask why? Did I say or do something wrong?”
“No. You are amazing. You really are, Riley. I just—”
“Don’t think of me that way,” she concludes.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry.” I apologize again.
“Don’t be. I figured as much when you didn’t try to sleep with me. Even when I kissed you the other night, I saw how uncomfortable it made you. Not exactly the reaction a girl hopes for when she kisses a guy she likes.”
“I really am sorry, Riley. I just think it’s better for me to be truthful with you now than string you along and waste your time.”
“Believe me, Nate, you didn’t waste my time. I had fun on our dates. Even though you don’t want to take things further, I hope we can at least be friends?”
“I’d like that.” I smile, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.
“Good. Then that’s settled.” She grins. “Now stop moping, and let’s ditch this place,” Riley says, getting up from her seat. “You and I are going on a bar hunt.”
“I don’t need a drink, Riley. Besides, I still have to coach my kids in a couple of hours. I can’t show up smelling like alcohol.”
“Who says we’re going to a bar for you? I’m the one who just got dumped, remember?” She laughs. “I’ll drink while you watch. It’s the least you can do.” She cocks a mischievous brow at me.
“Fair enough,” I relent, standing up and helping her put on her winter coat.
We walk side by side out of the coffee shop, very aware of the eyes watching us leave together.
I don’t even want to think about how this is going to affect my image.
Breaking up with Boston’s tennis sweetheart is bound to have some nasty repercussions.
But Doc was right. It had to be done.
I had to have this conversation with Riley.
Coming clean with Lottie, on the other hand, I’m not so sure I’m ready for that step yet.
Not until I’m sure she might reciprocate my feelings.
Whereas Riley was totally cool with me breaking things off, I’m not entirely sure I’d be so cavalier if Lottie told me she didn’t feel the same way about me.
These past few weeks without her had been painful enough.
Doing anything that might send her running is not a risk I’m willing to take.
Not now, anyway.
My heart couldn’t survive it.
By the time ten o’clock comes along, I realize I’ve been in bed for over an hour just staring at my phone, waiting for it to ring. Since that first night I called Lottie in the middle of the night, FaceTiming each other before we go to sleep has become our new ritual. When Lottie’s name finally flashes on my screen with a video call, I take a deep breath and answer it immediately.
“Hi,” she says, already snuggled under her covers.
“Hi to you, too.” I smile, unable not to, with her sweet face staring back at me. “It’s good to see you.”
God, she’s a sight for sore eyes.
All my troubles seem to vanish just by looking at her.
