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“It’s nothing. It’s just the same old problem I think I’ll always have.”
He looked concerned. “Has someone asked you out?”
She shook her head and his concern softened.
“Well, what then?”
“It’s nothing really. I’m just still so paranoid about men, I guess. I’m wondering when I’ll get over these feelings.”
“You’ll get over them when you meet someone perfect. Someone who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
She snorted in disbelief. “I wonder if there is any such person out there. And if there is, how will I know? I can’t even trust myself, and my reaction to even an innocent conversation with a man. It’s just not fair. Maybe Kate is right, and it’s time to give dating a chance.”
“You’re still seeing her? I thought the therapy sessions were finished.”
“They are, but she said I can call her whenever I needed to talk. In fact, I saw her last week while I was jogging down by the park.”
He took another sip of his soda.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to rush into dating. If you meet someone and you’re attracted to them, then make the decision to get to know them. But don’t go out tonight with your friends with intentions of finding a guy. That can only lead to disaster.”
“I’m not Donella. What she did a few weeks ago was stupid. She didn’t know that guy. He said all the right things and made her feel special. She forgot the rules and about taking precautions. Who would have known the guy slipped her some ecstasy?”
“You knew. You had to get her away from that guy and then call me. She was out of it, and it was pretty damn scary.”
“Yeah well, I just hope that guy, Leo, doesn’t show up anywhere around these parts again. We couldn’t prove that he put the drug in her drink, but I know Donella, and she was out of it. Some other unsuspecting female could become his next prey.”
“I doubt it. There was no sign of him anywhere, and the police never located him. But still, you young ladies need to take precautions.”
“I know, Unc. That was enough to scare all my friends.”
She looked down at her lap and thought about the text from Paul. It made her fee
l guilty and also worried about not telling anyone about that. Although Paul worked as a corrections officer in a jail an hour out of town, he still frequented the area, and he still had anger issues from what she’d heard.
“Okay, spit it out. What are you not telling me?”
She locked gazes with Unc. “It’s not a big deal. I shouldn’t let it bother me.”
“What is it?” He leaned forward and held her gaze. Unc had that look. A very hard, determined look that seemed to be able to tell if a person were lying or something. It must have to do with his law enforcement background.
“Well, yesterday, around lunchtime, I received a text message. I really don’t think it’s anything to worry about, but—”
“From Paul?” he asked, his voice changing to a deeper yet calmer tone. She locked gazes with him and saw the concern.
“Yes.”
He released an annoyed sigh.
“What did the text message say?”
“‘How are you? I miss you. Hope all is going well.’”
“You didn’t reply, did you?”
“Of course not. I ignored the text.”
“Did he text again?”
