Moving Forward, page 5
She smiled. “Just send me a text or something?”
He stared at her for a few seconds. “Want to go to the movies on Friday night?”
“Okay.”
He pulled out his cell. “Give me your number.”
She watched him add her number to his contacts, then smiled as he texted her. “There. Now you’ll know my number.”
Mrs. Halstead’s voice rang out. “Ryan?”
“Sorry, but I’ve got to go. I’ll text you later.”
“Bye.” She went to the counter, where she realized Kristen was staring at her with a big grin on her face.
Great. She’d had a witness. And now that witness was going to tease her about this for days.
Jen figured she couldn’t blame her. But she also didn’t regret a single second of what had just happened, either. It had been awkward and magical and sweet and painful. It was the best moment of her summer.
Maybe even her life.
Chapter 6
Kristen had joined Jen and Alan in the showroom right after lunch. She’d gotten a lot of sleep the night before and was feeling a little better. Well enough to finally assess the damage that the fire had done and to get a feel for how things were going at the store.
Tamera, her mentor back in Houston, had told her that customers could be superstitious. One robbery, accident, scandal, or fire would send customers fleeing to other stores. Kristen had always thought Tamera was exaggerating a bit . . . but now she wasn’t so sure. There seemed to be fewer cars in the parking lot than normal.
After helping Marty clean up the last of the debris in the cordoned-off section, she saw Jen staring at her crush.
The last thing she’d wanted to do was embarrass the girl, but Kristen hadn’t been able to not watch the interaction between Jen, Ryan, and the boy’s mother. Of course, she should’ve told Jen not to climb so high on the ladder and absolutely not to let Ryan climb it to “rescue” her . . . but Kristen just couldn’t do it.
It had been obvious that Ryan was just as taken with Jen as she was with him.
Now that it was all over and the guy and his mother were gone, Kristen could admit the truth to herself: She was officially jealous of a seventeen-year-old and her magic moment.
Oh sure. That might be putting things a bit too strongly, but that was how it seemed to her. Everything had to work together to make what had just happened happen. First his mother needed that particular bird feeder. Then of course Jen had to climb up to get it. Then that boy had to hold her so she didn’t fall. Then he asked her out.
It was adorable to watch.
“I happened to see the whole ladder incident.”
“Are you mad I climbed up there?”
“I should be. You know I would’ve rather you asked Marty or Alan. But . . . then I saw how intent you were on being independent.”
“Even though I was scared.”
“Even though you were scared,” she echoed. “Actually, I was very touched. You went above and beyond to help that woman.”
“That was Mrs. Halstead. But I didn’t do anything special, Kristen.” Jen sighed. “And I had to be rescued.”
“That is true. But don’t forget, you went out of your way to help a customer. I think that is special.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t just do it to help Mrs. Halstead. It was to impress Ryan, too.”
“Ah. So, how did it go? Was he dazzled?”
She snorted. “I don’t think he was dazzled at all. Actually, the whole thing could have blown up in my face. Instead of looking brave, I froze when I got to the very top.”
“Oh no.”
“It was awful. There was the box right in front of my face and I was almost too scared to let go of the ladder to get it. Then I didn’t know how I was going to get down.”
There were a lot of things Kristen wanted to say—starting and ending with the fact that Jen shouldn’t have been on the ladder in the first place—but she held her tongue. Instead, she looked at her sympathetically. “Uh-oh,” she said.
“Uh-oh is right. Ryan probably thought I was going to break my neck!”
“I did come onto the floor in time to see him help you down.”
Looking even more embarrassed, Jen nodded. “It was awful and crazy and kind of awesome, all at the same time. I mean, I’ve tried for years to get him to notice me. For him to see that I’m more than just one of the band kids.” She lowered her voice. “Or the nerdy girl who sat two seats behind him in chemistry.”
“I bet he’ll notice you now.”
“I think he will . . . because he asked me out! I couldn’t believe it!”
“Jen! That’s fantastic.” Kristen wouldn’t let on she’d overheard everything.
Jen nodded. “I know, but now I’m starting to wonder how I should act when we go out. What do I even say?”
It was so sweet that the girl trusted her enough to ask. Thinking of her ex again, Kristen shrugged. “I think I’m probably the last person to give you advice about that.”
“Why? Because you’re so old?”
Ouch! “I am a lot older than you, but I was thinking it’s mainly because I haven’t dated in quite a while.”
“How come?”
“There’re a lot of reasons,” she hedged.
“Like what?”
“Well, I was engaged. But he ended up breaking the engagement.”
Jen gasped. “That’s awful. Were you surprised?”
“You know what? I was. Thinking back, I now realize that I should’ve been a lot smarter. The signs were there but I didn’t want to see them. Now I’m glad I didn’t end up marrying Clark. Letting everyone know that the wedding was off wasn’t easy, though.”
Jen wrinkled her nose. “That sounds like something out of a book.”
“It felt like it—except that there wasn’t a happy ending.” She frowned. “I guess it left me gun-shy.”
“If our situations were reversed, you’d be telling me to stop worrying and do something.”
Kristen smiled. “You’re probably right. And I will, one day. But until then, I think you need to take some chances and go on fun dates. You can tell me how they go.”
“Deal.”
The door opened again, and in walked Greg Tebo. He was in a pair of faded jeans that clung in all the right places, a snug, gray T-shirt with the word army across the front, and flip-flops. In short, he looked like a model in an athletic catalog.
“Whoa,” Jen said.
“Yeah,” Kristen muttered under her breath.
Greg stood in the doorway, pretty much looking like he owned the place, and then focused on her. “Hey, Kristen, I was hoping you’d be here.”
“Oh my gosh,” Jen whispered.
Greg really did appear larger than life, with his model-worthy looks and intense gaze. So, she couldn’t fault her employee for looking starstruck. She, on the other hand, was older and wiser. That should mean something.
Belatedly pulling herself together, she walked out from behind the counter. “What’s going on? Are you having trouble with some plants?” Yes, that was apparently the best she could do conversationally.
Greg raised his eyebrows. “Uh, no. I was actually looking for you.”
She could practically feel little Jen staring at them. “Jen, I’m going to take Greg back to my office. Let me know if you need anything.”
“All right.” Jen sat down on the white stool behind the counter but smiled at Greg.
He smiled back. “I won’t keep her too long.”
Kristen chuckled as they walked down the short hallway. “Does this happen wherever you go?” she teased once they were out of earshot.
“You’ve lost me. What are you talking about?”
To her embarrassment, she realized that he really didn’t know.
“Jen seemed a little starstruck.”
When he still looked blank, Kristen felt even more flustered. Now she’d gone and made a big deal of his looks—and if she tried to explain herself further it would make their conversation even more awkward.
“You know what? It was nothing.” She opened the door to her office and gestured to one of the chairs near her desk. “Have a seat. I think I have a couple of bottles of water in the fridge, if you’re thirsty. Would you like one?”
Greg didn’t sit down and he didn’t look too interested in water, either. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
She’d been leaning on her desk, hoping she would look at least semicasual, but at his tone, she stood straight again. Greg really did have something on his mind. “What did you need, Greg?”
“Sorry to corner you at work, but I didn’t want to do this on the phone.”
“Oh? What’s wrong?” She racked her brain but couldn’t think of a single thing that would necessitate his seeing her in person.
“I’m not sure. Kristen, I’m just going to ask this. Did I scare you away?”
She was really starting to feel like they were having two separate conversations. Did he scare her away from what? “I’m confused.”
He ran a hand across his features. “You know what? Don’t answer that. I think I better say my piece first.”
Greg, all six feet five inches of muscle and good looks, seemed both frustrated and upset. With her. Realizing that she was not only clueless about what was on his mind but at a complete disadvantage, she swallowed hard. “Greg, you’re so much taller than me, it’s a little hard to look you in the eye. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down?” Because not only would she not have to crane her neck, she could try to conduct an actual conversation.
“Fine.” He sat.
She sat next to him. Pretended she was a whole lot more at ease, and neatly folded her hands on her lap. “So, um, you were saying?”
“Kristen, if you aren’t interested in dating, that’s fine, I get it. I just need to know for sure.”
It took her a minute to make sure she understood what he was saying. “Greg, are you referring to . . . is this about me saying I wasn’t up for company?”
He nodded. “Was it too much? Did I come on too strong? If I did, I can scale it back.” He leaned forward slightly. “I’d say I learned to be so assertive in the army, but I can’t even blame it on that. The truth is that I’ve always been a little bit of a lot to deal with.” He rolled his eyes. “My older sister Rachel likes to say I’m a bulldozer.”
Kristen was taken aback. He was so different from Clark. Clark considered himself perfect and wanted her to be perfect, too. Greg, on the other hand, seemed to think he was the one with all the faults. It was really endearing.
“Greg, I don’t want you to change.”
“I mean, we can do anything,” he said, obviously still in his apology zone. “Would you rather we go to coffee or something? You know, meet in public? Someplace you’d feel safe? Because we can do that.”
She felt terrible. She’d allowed all her fears based on a bunch of what-ifs to push him away. “I promise, me saying no wasn’t because of anything you did. I just wasn’t up for anything. I’d just gotten out of the hospital—”
“I know. And I would’ve totally understood if you hadn’t been feeling well.”
“Then . . . ?”
He opened his mouth to speak, then grimaced. He ran a hand through his hair in an impatient way. “Boy, am I making a mess of this.” He sighed. “Sorry, but see, I’ve let women down before with lame excuses that were obviously made up.”
“So, that’s what you thought I was doing. You thought I was giving you the equivalent of I had to wash my hair?”
“Pretty much.” Greg met her eyes before quickly looking away.
Even though she was feeling that same knot in her stomach she’d experienced when they’d been texting, Kristen tried to think of the right thing to say. She was tired of hurting and tired of being scared.
But how could she explain her insecurities without sounding like she didn’t have an ounce of self-esteem? Because she did. Just not around him.
After staring at her another few seconds, Greg got to his feet. “I can tell that I just managed to make a bad thing worse. I’m really sorry. I promise I won’t bother you again.”
She was being a fool and he was going to leave.
Greg was not only the most attractive man she’d ever met, but he was nice, too. And she was just about to let him think that he was a jerk. She could either let him leave and feel safe—or be as willing as he was to be honest and open.
“I was scared,” she blurted.
“Of what? Of me?” A horrified expression crossed his features. “Oh man. Did I really mess everything up?” He lowered his voice. “Kristen, no matter what you think of me, please know that I would never hurt you. That’s not me. That’s not ever me.”
“Of course it isn’t.” She motioned him back with her hand. “Please sit back down.” When he gingerly sat, she knew it was time to stop guarding her heart.
“It wasn’t you, it was me.” She grimaced. “And I know that sounds like a line, but it isn’t. The truth is that I haven’t dated in a while. The last person I dated was my fiancé.” And now she felt like a total loser.
“What happened?” A second later, he blurted, “Did he die or something?”
“No.” She couldn’t believe she was smiling. “As far as I know, Clark is alive and well. He just broke up with me.”
A line formed between his eyebrows. “Clark, like Clark Kent?”
“Definitely Clark, like Clark Kent. He liked to say I had my own superhero.”
Greg rolled his eyes. “I bet you didn’t like him telling you that.”
“At first I thought it was kind of cute, but he ended up being far from heroic.”
“He sounds like a jerk.”
“I thought he was.”
“I’m sure he was if he took off on you.”
She liked how he said that. Like she was worth sticking around for. She smiled. “Even though you don’t really know me, thanks for saying that.”
“My momma would say you’re better off without him.”
“Mine did say that.” Feeling the need to add something of substance to the conversation—or at least make it not sound like she was difficult to be around—Kristen said, “He found out about my heart condition.”
“And . . . ?”
“And he wanted a wife who—well, wasn’t broken.” She stopped there. No way was she ready to tell Greg the whole truth.
“Do you actually believe that you’re broken?”
This was hitting a little too close to home. “I didn’t say that.”
“I didn’t say it, either, Kristen. That’s why I think you should say yes to a date.”
Oh, this was hard. His eyes were dreamy and his smile was perfect. Worse, he made her think of all kinds of things she’d firmly pushed out of her mind. Things like love and romance and passion. Things like being a little reckless and pushing her boundaries.
Things like really living.
But what would happen when her body told her to slow down? Would the change be difficult for him to accept? Would Greg begin to realize that a lifetime with her just wasn’t worth it?
“Thanks, but I don’t think I’m ready.” At least that sounded better than everything she was thinking.
“Maybe you are, Kristen. Maybe you are ready and you just haven’t let yourself believe it.”
She wanted to believe it . . . but realized that she wasn’t ready to get emotionally involved again. It was better to head things off now, before her heart became even more attached.
Standing up, Kristen said, “Look, this is all flattering, but I’m not ready for a new relationship.”
He stared at her a long moment. “Okay . . . how about this? Say that we can be friends.”
“We can be friends,” she dutifully repeated. Even though she felt deflated, she smiled again. “I’m glad you understand.”
“I do.” He shifted. “So, six o’clock on Friday night?”
“Greg, I just told you no.”
He had the gall to look affronted. “I’m not asking you out on a date, Kristen. I’m asking you to come to a party—as a friend.”
“Wait, what kind of party?”
“It’s an engagement party for a buddy of mine at work.”
“I don’t know . . . won’t everyone else there be coupled up?”
“Oh no. Everyone at the firehouse is buddies. Nobody’s matchmaking there.”
Greg sounded a little too glib . . . so why did it also sound like fun? “Are you sure you want me to go as a friend?”
“Well, yeah.” Stuffing his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, he nodded. “Like I said, it’s a party. Everyone’s going to be relaxed and having fun. Plus, we’re already friends. Right?”
She raised an eyebrow, just to let him know that she didn’t completely believe his spiel.
He folded his arms over his well-muscled chest. “Come on. It’ll be fun. Plus, you already know some of the other women going, right? Chelsea, Anderson’s wife, for one.”
“You’re right. I do know Chelsea.”
“So, Friday?”
“Fine. Yes.”
His grin was almost blinding. “Great. I’ll pick you up at six.” After giving her a little salute, he strode out the door.
Only when he left did she smile right back. She was going out with Greg Tebo. He was gorgeous, fun to be around, and made her feel like she was the only person in the room whenever they talked.
Yes, she was scared. If she started imagining life as his girlfriend . . . and then he broke her heart . . . it was going to hurt something awful. She really didn’t want to get hurt again.
But suddenly she realized something else. If she continued to push him away and he ended up dating another woman, that was going to hurt, too.
If that was how it was going to be, at least she’d have some good memories if she went out with him.
