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“Sure. Just one more, though.”
“So I have to be transparent with you,” I tell her after we grab some beers and sit in the booth. At the last minute, we decided to order fries to help soak up the alcohol. My stomach is in knots over what I’m about to say. “I know Jerry had good intentions telling Gemma to plan a double date, but I don’t want to lead you on. While I think you’re beautiful and a lot of fun, I don’t think—”
“You don’t even have to finish.” She pats my hand. My shoulders relax when she nods. “I’m sure Jerry’s heart was in the right place, but I’ve realized I’m not in the right mindset to be dating right now. Owen’s my priority at the moment. Plus, I’m trying to buy a house and stay focused at work because I want a promotion.”
“Whew, okay.” I chuckle. “I was nervous, considering I haven’t gone on a date in…well, since before I went to prison.”
“Really? No fan mail in prison or conjugal visits?” Katie smirks before taking a sip.
“Oh, there’s always stalker mail, but dating has been the last thing on my mind.”
“How long exactly?” She narrows her eyes, resting her arms on the table.
“How long has it been since I’ve dated or had sex?”
“Well, now that you brought it up, both.”
I laugh at her boldness. “Let’s just say, it’s been a very long time since I’ve dated or had sex. It’s been well over five years.”
“Me too. Sometimes I think I’m okay with being alone. I’m set in my ways, and raising Owen is a full-time job on its own. Then I remember what it felt like to have a partner, someone to come home to after a long shift at work. That’s what I miss the most—companionship.”
I frown, vaguely remembering what happened between her husband and Noah. Though I wasn’t living in Lawton Ridge at the time, Everleigh told me all about it and how distraught she was. Katie lost her husband and her best friend at the same time.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve done an amazing job raising Owen and being on your own. Whoever you end up with will be a very lucky man.”
“That might be a while…it’s slim pickings in this town. My options range from the jobless just graduated college guys who get their parents to co-sign loans for them or the old church-goer widowers. There’s literally no in-between.”
I bark out a laugh. “Well, let’s weigh the pros and cons here…” I hold out my hands and rock them back and forth. “The younger guys are active enough to play and keep up with Owen. The flip side is you’ll probably have to teach them how to be an adult and do things like balancing a bank account, saving money, and paying bills on time.”
Katie throws a fry at me, chuckling. “Wow, thanks. If I wanted to take care of a man-child, I’d just get pregnant again and teach one from birth.”
“Pros of dating an old guy is getting a senior discount at restaurants.” I shrug, reaching for a couple of fries before shoving them into my mouth. “Plus, Viagra means you can go all night long. Personally, older sounds better, so you should start going to church.”
“You give out the best advice! It’s a wonder you’re single!”
We’re both laughing when the waitress asks if we’d like refills. We pass and finish our basket of fries.
“I wrote Noah in prison,” she says softly, looking down. “For years, actually.”
“Did he write back?”
“Never. Doesn’t let me visit him either.”
I tilt my head, studying her sad expression. I can tell how much it hurts her. “Do you know why?”
Katie shrugs as she quickly brushes a tear off her cheek. “No. I wish I did, though. Everleigh and Gemma think I’m holding out for his return, but the minute I see him, I plan to cuss his ass out, then slap him.”
“Has anyone else talked to him? Maybe they can ask—”
“Only Jerry and Gemma. He says it’s complicated.”
I furrow my brows, trying to think of a reasonable explanation as to why Noah would push his best friend away. Gemma swears Noah’s been in love with Katie for years, even before Gabe asked her out.
“He’s probably embarrassed and distraught over what happened and can’t face you.”
“I thought that too, but it’s been years now! I haven’t seen or talked to him since the day of the accident. I never got to say goodbye.”
“Prison’s an ugly place, and I’m sure he doesn’t want you to see him like that.”
“Why can’t he just lift a damn pen and write me back?”
“Because he’s a coward?” I guess. “I wish I had a better answer for you.”
Defeated, she shrugs and leans against the booth. “I only want answers from him, but it seems like it won’t ever happen. I was heartbroken over losing Gabe even though he was cheating, but not having Noah in my life broke me in other ways.”
