There are strikes against me. I realize this. I’m younger than her. Less successful. Don’t come from an established family with money. Don’t have much of a plan in life. None of that seemed to matter to her last night, and it didn’t matter to me either. We had a connection. One I’ve never felt with another woman before.

In the light of day, with people giving me what feels like endless shit, I’m starting to think maybe what happened between me and Amelia was all a big mistake. I’m the rebound man for her—I have to be. A few days ago, I had no problem with that. But now…

Now, that hurts, damn it. I like her. I think what we share could grow into something special. Forget about the strikes against me. What does any of that matter if we can make what we share into something real?

Grumbling under my breath, I stalk toward the grove of new baby trees. Maybe hanging out in nature and not around people for a few minutes will set me to rights.

Lord knows I need to do something to help clear my head.

Nineteen

Amelia

I get the sense that the man who took me out to dinner only a few nights ago and made me feel beautiful, the very same man who came back to my apartment and gave me multiple orgasms, is now trying to avoid me.

And it’s not cool. Not cool at all.

At first, I figured Isaac was just busy. Quite frankly, so am I. Business is brisk at the jewelry store this time of year, and those holiday purchases just keep coming. Our initial numbers are already looking better than last year’s. Including the online business we’ve been pulling since the week of Thanksgiving, it’s going to be a mega profitable fourth quarter and overall year. My family is pleased, Palmer especially. So am I. Not that I live and die by our family business, but when they’re happy, I’m happy.

They think that’s why I’m so unusually cheerful at work. Because of brisk business.

Ha! If they only knew.

I have other reasons for my good mood and all of them have to do with Isaac. When he slipped out of my bed a few nights ago, I was in a dream like state, dazed and sated thanks to his skilled hands and body. We texted the evening after our epic date night. Talked about our long days at work until Isaac complained that he was exhausted and needed to go to bed early. I let him sign off without complaint, anxious as to when we might see each other again and hating that we made no plans.

The next day, he didn’t text at all. I had to reach out first. Which is fine, I don’t need to sit around and wait for a man to talk to me, but his responses were so blah and noncommittal. I couldn’t help but read between the lines.