Page 83 of Mountain Dreams

“I know.”

They went to the couch and sat down, but both kept their distance, and she crossed her arms over her chest. Even though she’d stayed upstairs, he had a feeling she’d heard every word he and Wyatt had exchanged.

“Why didn’t you tell me you ran into him today?” He figured he’d start with the simplest question first.

She sighed. “I was going to—”

“Were you upset to see him with another woman?”

“You mean Sadie? She’s the woman from the napkin, by the way.”

He already knew that, so he just nodded.

“I was more upset about the things he said about you.”

He felt a flicker of relief, but he reined in his optimism. “Are you sure?”

Gazing into his eyes, she said, “I’m over him, Cody. I’ve been over him, over us, for a long time. It just took me a while to realize that.”

“Okay.” He believed her, but he still had questions.

“I was going to tell you, but I didn’t want it to ruin our date. I was more interested in going out with you, Jax, and Avery than talking about Wyatt and his new girlfriend.”

“I get that, but I want you to feel comfortable telling me anything, even if it’s something you don’t think I want to hear.”

She swallowed hard and looked down at her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap. He reached over and placed his hand atop them. “Hey, look at me.”

She looked up, and tears were swimming in her eyes.

“Ah, hell.” He moved closer and put his arm around her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I know. I’m just overly emotional,” she sniffed.

“Let me get you a tissue.”

“No. Stay with me.”

He smiled and gave her a squeeze.

“I overheard your conversation with him,” she admitted while wiping her eyes.

“I figured.”

“Are you mad?”

“That you eavesdropped? No, but I was upset that you didn’t tell me what Wyatt said about me. Why didn’t you?”

She let out a big breath. “I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid that what he said was true.” She gazed up at him, and suddenly everything made sense.

“So that was why you left in such a hurry the other night.”

She nodded.

“And why you said it was okay for me to see other people and that we could stop this anytime.”