“You know me.I tell it like it is.I never learned the art of playing pretend.”Guilt strummed.Well, except in some things…
He shifted on his chair.“I can see why some people might see it as tokenistic.But that’s not why I do it.See, I spent time growing up with someone who used to say things like that, who used to mock those who thought they were generous when they only gave out of their abundance, when the truly generous were those who gave when they had little.”
She nodded.“That’s what makes someone truly kind.”
“I agree.”
Her head tilted as she studied him.It was funny.Part of her felt like spending time with him was like placing a hand inside a well-worn glove.The other part felt like it didn’t quite fit anymore.
“But that’s not what being a Christian is about,” he said softly.
Her internal walls rose again.She didn’t want to hear this, whatever it was.“If you’re going to tell me you’re a God-botherer, I’d really rather not know.It’s enough that we’re friends again, right?”
The light in his eyes faded slightly, then his lips pushed to curve up on one side.“Wearefriends, then?”
Well, she hoped they were.Even if it still felt like this could get messy.She wasn’t going to wallow in regrets, remember?“Yes.”
His smile carved a tunnel straight to her chest, speeding past the insecurities his comments about being a Christian had raised.She remembered this smile.Remembered this sense of connection.How funny that they could be parted for years yet bounce back and feel like nothing had changed.Well, apart from his new faith.And the little matter of his child.
Her stomach tensed.
“Hey, what’s that look for?”
“Nothing.”
He eyed her like he knew she was fibbing.Then his face softened.“I’ve missed you.”
“I… I’ve missed you too.”She licked her bottom lip, noticed his gaze drop there then lift.
“So, tell me about you.I want to know about everything that’s happened in the past ten years.”
Oh no, he probably didn’t.She tiptoed through the memories, sharing about her scholarships, her studies, moving to Seattle, avoiding all references to the real reason why.
He smiled.“So that’s why I couldn’t find you.”
“Couldn’t find me?”
“I tried to find you.I revisited Willow Springs, but nobody knew where you were.It was like you had dropped off the face of the earth.”
“Mom felt it would be better that way.”No judgment, no gossip, a clean break and fresh start for everyone.She hadn’t returned to Willow Springs since.
“So you’ve been super focused on your studies ever since, huh?”
“That’s about the sum of it.”
“Wow.You’re so committed.”
Or she should be committed for all these lies she was supporting.She needed to get the conversation off herself and on him.“So, how about you?”
He shook his head.“Uh, uh.There’s something I want to know first.”
“What?”Her chest tensed.
“Um, this might sound weird, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
“Spit it out, Kyle.”
“Your boyfriend.Is he good to you?”
