Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [122]
She couldn’t help but smile at his frankness. “No. I just want to be…buddies. Play games, chat. I want you to flash your dimple at me like you are now, instead of your nasty scowl. I didn’t like that much.”
He shrugged. “I overreacted. It’s no big deal anymore.” Then as if it was settled, he took a spoonful of ice cream.
She settled back, relieved. After a comfortable pause, she asked, “How’s Elizabeth doing?”
“Good. Better than this ice cream. How long’s it been in the freezer anyway?”
She laughed and made a face. “It’s awful, isn’t it?” She pushed her bowl away. “We don’t have to finish it.”
“Too late. I sacrificed myself for friendship.” He leaned back in his chair and studied her intently.
She squirmed. “Do I have chocolate on my chin or what?”
“I don’t get it. You wanted me to forgive you. But you can’t forgive Jake.”
“I forgave him after it was too late,” Katy corrected. She didn’t explain that she’d just forgiven him an hour earlier, that she’d just had a renewal experience right before she’d invited him inside. But now that they’d made their peace, she questioned the wisdom of entertaining him inside while she was living alone in the house. She worried her lip. If he lingered, she would call Megan and ask her to join them. They could play Rook.
“So why don’t you tell Jake now? That you forgive him?”
She stared at him, having lost track of their conversation. “What?”
He repeated the question.
She reasoned aloud. “Because he hates me. Anyway, he was with Jessie on Sunday.”
“Who’s that?”
She felt a twinge of pain. “A girl from school. I think they may be getting back together.”
“That girl with Erin? Standing in the foyer?” Katy nodded.
“I didn’t get a good look at her. I was too busy looking at Erin. But Jake would never go back to her.”
Looking at Erin? She raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”
“Because he came back to the church, and unless she changes a lot, that’s not going to work out.”
“Maybe he’ll leave again.”
“Not if he’s changed.”
“Maybe she’ll change.”
“I doubt it.”
She wanted to ask him if he thought Jessie was pretty, but he’d claimed he hadn’t looked at her very much. Instead she argued, “But she’s friends with Erin.”
“That is strange.” He wore an unreadable look, one that made her wonder if he had a crush on Erin. Then he shook his head. “Forget about Jessie. You should tell Jake you’re sorry.”
Katy planted her elbow on the table and cradled her head in her hand. “It’s over.”
He shrugged. “Maybe you haven’t really had a change of heart.”
“Don’t say that. I have so.”
“Prove it.”
She narrowed her eyes with suspicion. “Why are you so anxious to see us get back together? You don’t even like him.” She didn’t want to bring up the fistfight.
“I have my reasons.”
She stared at him, saw a vulnerability in his expression. Maybe he didn’t want Katy to be available because he didn’t want to get hurt again. Or maybe David wanted to square things with Jake so he could date Erin. Whatever the reason, he had the right to his opinion. She swallowed.
“Call him,” he urged.
Loud, uplifting refrains filled the cab, and Jake tapped his palms on his steering wheel keeping time to the beat. He willed the inspirational message into his wounded spirit as he mouthed the words. Meanwhile his truck sped across miles, putting distance between him and the object of his heartbreak.
When he stopped for gas, he checked his phone, surprised to see he had messages. His heart wrenched. Three calls from Katy in the past two hours. He could only hope he wouldn’t have answered her calls anyway. Two missed calls and one voice mail.
He hesitated, wondering if he should listen to the voice mail. It would be like her to leave some message saying she was sorry. If he listened, he might be tempted to take her back. He wouldn’t do that again. He wouldn’t weaken. He needed to move on with his life. Clenching his jaw, he erased the message. Grimly, he set the phone to vibrate and jammed it in his pocket.
Climbing