Chapter 38
I’m up surprisingly early today for a Saturday. I’m anxious to explore the ski resort, and excited to have Jameson along with me. I don’t know what I expect to find, but I desperately want more clues.
Since Jameson left yesterday afternoon, I’ve been obsessing over the mystery again, spinning out a dozen theories.
My favorite one is that she got away unscathed.
Maybe she managed a clean break from both men, and she’s living by the beach somewhere, celibate for the rest of her days. The thought makes me oddly happy.
My phone buzzes, pulling me away from my thoughts.
“Ella? What’s up? I was just about to head out to drop her off.”
“Hey, Carly. I’m so sorry—I know you had a date planned, but your dad’s feeling under the weather today. I’m don’t think Jessica should come around. Could get her sick.”
“Oh. No, that’s okay. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“Okay. Well let me know if we can do anything and tell him we love him.”
“Will do. Love ya.”
“Love ya. Bye.”
I hang up with a sigh. Darn. Now I’ll have to cancel on Jameson.
I tap his name with my thumb and wait. He always answers within the first couple rings.
Today is no exception.
“Hey.”
“Hey. So, bad news.”
“Uh oh.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, but I can’t come today.”
“Really? Why not?”
“My dad’s feeling under the weather. Babysitter fell through.”
“Oh. Damn.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” he says gently. “Don’t be. What if…”
“What?”
“Nah. Never mind. It’s okay.”
“Just tell me what you were thinking.”
“What if you brought Jess?”
“You would…be okay with that?”
“Yes…why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. It was supposed to be a date—It’s our Saturday.”
“I think we can make room for one more in our Saturdays, don’t you?”
My heart melts, and tears sting my eyes. I didn’t expect this conversation to go here. He caught me completely off guard with that.
The fact that he actually wants my daughter to come along—it has to mean he really cares about me, right?
He’s been very direct that he wants to pursue me, and I get that now.
But part of me still thought maybe it was just a fling.
I’ve trained myself not to get my hopes up, but right now, I’m feeling all kinds of things for him, and those feelings are starting to win out over everything else.
“Yeah.” My voice comes out a bit choked. “I mean, as long as she’s okay with it. I’ll have to ask and get back to you?”
“Okay.”