Page 7 of Crossing the Line

But I felt guilty for leaving my mother behind, knowing that she never moved on from my father. The last thing I wanted was for her to worry about me.

“I just signed up for a dating app,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll find someone on there.”

The concern melted from my mother’s face, and I knew that the little lie was worth it. But I couldn’t help thinking that maybe I should sign up for one. It was time to move on from pain again.

Chapter Four: Kelsie

That evening, I walked into the seafood restaurant with butterflies in my stomach. At least, that was how it felt. I knew it was just nervous energy from knowing that I was about to see Damien.

I’d never felt this way around him. Things had always been easy between the two of us, ever since we first met.

Our jobs brought us together. As a youth advocate, I worked with troubled kids. A program that I created two years ago introduced those children to career options that helped the community. Part of that was visiting people like nurses, teachers, mental health counselors, and first responders. When I took a group of kids to visit the firehouse, Damien happened to be on duty.

We hit it off right away, becoming friends as we connected over our mutual love of basketball and spicy food. It was always so natural between us, conversation flowing freely and a bond forming from the beginning.

I would have pursued something with him then, but he was dating a woman named Amy. So, I settled for friendship, even though I wanted more than that. He and Amy only dated for about two months after that, and they broke up because she cheated on him.

Damien took it hard, and I was there for him. He didn’t love Amy, but being betrayed by someone you trusted was a punch in the gut. It didn’t feel right to make a move when he was going through that, so I doubled down on being a great friend, always hoping he would one day open his eyes and see me.

Now that I knew it wasn’t going to happen, everything felt different. Knowing I was about to see him put me on edge.

But I walked into the restaurant with my head held high and a smile on my face.

Everyone was meeting here for dinner, and it looked like about half the group had already arrived. Damien wasn’t among them, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding at that realization.

Normally, I would save a seat for him right beside me, but I didn’t want to do that tonight. It wasn’t a punishment for him; it was a necessity for me. For my heart and my sanity. I just needed a little space from Damien right now.

There was an empty chair between Angela and a man I hadn’t met yet, so I headed straight to it. Before I could even reach for the chair, the unknown man got to his feet and pulled it out for me. I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said, allowing him to push the chair in as I sat down.

“It’s my pleasure. A beautiful woman should always have a gentleman pull out her chair for her.”

I chuckled. “And that’s what you are? A gentleman?”

“I try.” He held his hand out to me. “I’m Gordon. Ryan’s cousin.”

I knew that Kirsten had a brother, so I figured this was him. They looked alike, except that while she looked bored and annoyed all day at the winery, Gordon looked happy to be here.

“Kelsie,” I said, shaking his hand. “Leanne’s cousin.”

He was cute, with black hair that had been buzzed short and a dimple in his right cheek. His charming smile matched his flirty words, and I had the immediate impression that he rarely lacked in attention from women. He held himself with a steady confidence.

But he was barking up the wrong tree with me. My heart was way too bruised from what happened with Damien for me to even entertain the idea of hooking up with anyone at this wedding.

Still, I was friendly as Gordon chatted with me, telling me all about his job as a defense attorney. He’d just wrapped up a case, which was why he was a day late to arrive on the island.

“Don’t believe what you see on TV,” he said. “The courtroom isn’t nearly as interesting as it’s portrayed on crime shows. Very little drama.”

I shook my head with a smile. “What a shame. I always kind of liked the thought of lawyers yelling out objections and over-the-top revelations from witnesses that really break a case open.”

Gordon chuckled. “Courtroom cases are more about long wait times, respectful adherence to protocol, and discussing the same information over and over again.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Sounds dull.”

“It can be. I just have to find excitement in other parts of my life.”

There was no missing the suggestive tone of his voice. The man wasn’t subtle, but I wasn’t sure if he was being serious or just playful. Either way, it felt like I should make it clear that I wasn’t interested. But before I could come up with a way to say that, the air around me seemed to shift. The fine hair on my arms stood up, and I knew I was being watched.