AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And that made youmad?”
“Notthat. The stuff that came after it. He said he didn’t want to start anything serious.”
Wait a minute. Brielle was upset that a guydidn’twant anything serious? Her head ached and she shook her head. “I don’t get it.”
“Shane said he had a great night but that we were too different, and he wished me luck.”
“Hesaidthat?” Even to Dianna that sounded harsh.
“Right? I mean, I agree with him. There’s no wayIwould want to be locked into a relationship with him. Do you see me being the doting wife? Ha! In his dreams.”
Dianna shuffled across the room and sat on the edge of her bed. “Okay, so you’renotupset.”
Brielle groaned. “Why aren’t you getting this? He’s not allowed to break up with me.”
“But you weren’t together in the first place.”
“That’s beside the point. No one breaks up with me because I’m the one who breaks up with them.” She waved her hand through the air. “None of that matters because I’m in here to figure out what’s going on with you and your date. You didn’t come home. That took guts. What would you have done if Dad caught you?”
Dianna sighed. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Do you like him?”
“Of course I do.”
Brielle scooted beside her and nudged her shoulder. “Do you want to see him again?”
“I’m going to see him tonight.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Dianna stared at her hands. “I’m scared.”
“Oh. Well, that’s normal.”
A huff burst from her chest. “How would you know? You’ve never had a long relationship.” The room dropped a few degrees in temperature and Dianna suddenly realized how that probably sounded. “I didn’t mean—”
“No. You’re right. I haven’t risked anything. But let me tell you something. The things you want the most are the hardest to get and the most worth the effort. If you like this guy, if you like his kid, and you’re happy when you’re with them, then take a chance.” She bumped Dianna’s shoulder with her own. “And I’ll stand with you one hundred percent of the way. Just do me one favor.”
“What’s that?” Dianna croaked, emotion in her throat.
“Please don’t set me up with any more guys—especially Shane.”
Dianna let out a tight laugh and Brielle gave her a side hug. She hadn’t expected it, but Brielle had managed to put everything into such simple terms that helped her realize she was on the right path.
19
Tristan
At one moment Tristan felt elated, overjoyed that the other night had gone so well. It may be unwise, but there were moments when he could see himself and Dianna together with Mathew as a family.
And then the doubt crept in. He didn’t know what her reaction was this morning. She’d seemed a little off. At first he thought it might have to do with waking up in a strange place, confronted by Mathew. But it was more than that.
Mathew had figured it out. That much was clear.
For some reason he could tell that she was nervous and she needed a break.
There was this ghost of a thought in the back of his mind. It hovered there, and he couldn’t quite see the whole picture. Tristan knew when he finally did, he’d be able to better understand what made Dianna tick.
