“Not freaking out. More like…taken aback? I can’t believe you’d abandon your whole life just for me.”
Honesty. This is good. Healthy. Just because his confession floods my stomach with dread doesn’t mean this can’t turn into a good conversation. I’d hate to start a relationship based on lies.
“It’s not just for you.” Mostly, but not completely. He’s more like the catalyst. “I think I was searching for a reason to leave without even realizing it.” Almost like I was looking for permission from the universe or some higher power that it was okay to go.
To take a chance on myself.
Or on someone who could end up being the love of my life.
“Oh, thank God.” Huffing a laugh, he drags a hand down his chiseled jaw. “I really like you, Loren, but the fact is, we barely know each other. I’m looking forward to learning more about you, growing closer, but…” He blows out a breath. “If you came here just for me. That’s a lot of pressure. I think we should take things slow. See where we end up.”
“I totally get it. This is a zero-pressure situation. Just two people who like each other, hanging out.” Spending every waking moment together. Falling desperately in love. Getting married and having babies.
No, Loren! Don’t think about how cute your babies would be.
That’s not slow. That’s fast.
Don’t be a waterfall. Be a lazy river. Drift along, float where the water takes you.
“Two people who like each other a lot,” Josh says.
Some of the tension in my body eases. “Exactly.” We do like each other a lot. Someone who wasn’t as chill as me might even say we could be soulmates.
Only time will tell.
For now, I’m just happy to be here.
CHAPTER 3
LOREN
MOM
Did you know you’re 15x more likely to be murdered in Tennessee than any other state?
4:17 PM
That’s not true
One expensive sushidinner followed by a night in a cheap motel later, my life is looking a little bit brighter. Not only is my car fixed, but also after Josh left last night, I found a place to call home.
Turns out, I can’t afford to live anywhere near Nashville. The closest I can get to the city is a suburb called Mt. Juliette. Sounds pretty, right? It is. There’s a lake and a ton of craftsman-style homes lining every street.
Did I find one to rent?
Not even close.
What I did find was a studio apartment that may or may not have been a closet at one point. If I spread my arms wide, I can almost touch the opposite walls at the same time.
But hey, at least there’s a balcony and a random door that’s locked and painted shut. Not creepyat all.
The real bonus is I don’t have to worry about a burglar hiding in here—something my mom has warned me about multiple times since I left.
There’s nowhere for him to hide.
My kitchen consists of three lower and three upper cabinets, a two-burner stove, and a mini fridge like you’d find in a motel.
Another upside? The place comes “fully furnished.” Meaning there’s a single bed complete with suspicious brown stains and a table with two mismatched chairs shoved into the corner. There’s no couch, which works because there’s no living room. However, thereisa fat TV sitting on top of a chest of drawers that reminds me of the one at my grandma’s house. Is this one black and white too?
