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“And, well, I grew up in a town near Austin…but my house burned down last year and took both of my parents with it.”
His face remained still, though his eyes softened. “I’m so sorry, Blythe.”
She nodded, used to empty apologies. It seemed like all anyone knew to say when they heard the news, and she guessed she couldn’t blame them. What else was there to say, anyway? “Thank you,” she said simply.
“So, you came to New York for a fresh start?”
She shrugged. “Well, Texas may be large, but Darlington is very small…and it starts to feel exceedingly so after a while. I got tired of everyone seeing me as ‘that poor girl who lost her parents,’ you know? It was hard enough without everyone around me knowing about it.”
His eyes narrowed, lips in a thin line. “I know that feeling all too well.”
“Oh really? You’re a poor, small-town girl, too?” she joked.
She didn’t expect a laugh, but when it came, it was warm and filled the space of the room. “Yeah, something like that,” he said, raising his eyebrows as if her joke had surprised him.
“Well, anyway, my aunt lives just outside the city. She told me I could come stay with her for a while if I wanted. While I try to get everything figured out.”
“What’s…everything?”
“I mean, what I’m going to do next. I always thought I’d live in Texas my whole life. But now…I can do anything I want. It sounds freeing, but it’s kind of terrifying.”
“I get that,” he agreed, and something told her he truly did. Before they could say anything else, the waitress appeared with their plates and drinks, setting them in front of the couple with a charming smile before disappearing toward the kitchen.
“This looks delicious,” she said, picking up a fork.
“So, what do you want?” he asked, and for a moment she had to think about what he was asking.
“Oh, you mean in life?”
He smirked. “Yeah, in life.”
“I have no idea,” she answered honestly, shoving a forkful of food into her mouth. God, she was starving. “I’m just trying not to think about it. On top of trying not to think about how the hell I’m going to get away from my aunt as soon as possible.”
“You two don’t get along?”
“Oh, we get along fine. About as fine as can be expected.”
“Meaning…” He trailed off, waiting for her to fill in the blank she shouldn’t have left.
She rolled her eyes. “Meaning my aunt thinks I’m a trollop.”
He snorted, nearly inhaling his food. As he pulled the fork from his mouth, his eyes wide, he let out a scoff. “Excuse me?A trollop?”
She smiled, waving a hand over her head. “Unfortunately, yes. That’s the exact word she used. I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m the devil incarnate coming to live at her house and bring her to the dark side. She’s just…she’s uber religious, and anyone who’d dare wear blue jeans must be up tosomething naughty,” she said, imitating her aunt’s nagging voice as best she could.
He took another bite, seemingly calm. “Well, lucky you, coming to New York then, huh? You’ll fit right in.”
She caught a twinkle in his eye that made her stomach lurch. Something told her she woulddefinitelybe fitting right in.
* * *
At the endof the date, Finn covered the bill, even though Blythe insisted she’d cover her half. Luckily he did, because, as she kept forgetting, her wallet was in her purse, which she rememberedagain,had been stolen.
They walked out of the restaurant together, his arm brushing hers occasionally in a way that made her wonder if he was trying to hold her hand.
“So, to your aunt’s, then? Which way is that?”
She shook her head. “She lives outside of the city. I’ll have to take a cab.” She slapped her hand onto her forehead as soon as she’d said it. “Crap. No. I’ll have to call her and see if she can come pick me up. No purse. Dammit. Welcome to New York, right?”
