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‘What would you do?’ I ask.
‘I’d dump him.’
‘Really?’
‘Hell yeah. If your relationship is troubling you this much so early on, it’s not right. Never settle, is what I say.’
‘Is that why you’re single?’
He clears his throat. ‘Sure, that’s why.’
‘So men and women suck.’
River shakes his head. ‘Boys suck. Men don’t get all douchebauchery about a woman they love enough to propose to.’
‘Douchebauchery?’
‘Definition: excessive indulgence in being a douche. I may have struggled with this trait in my younger years, but I’m growing out of it.’
I reach over, patting his hand at his side. ‘Some guys take a long time to hit puberty, but don’t worry, it’ll happen,’ I joke.
His gaze meets mine. ‘You’re a funny lady, Jade. Your taste in coats is a bit questionable. But I can promise you, I’m well past puberty,’ he says proudly. ‘Maybe Conner’s being weird because he’s secretly married with a family, and you’re the side chick across the country?’
I groan, not wanting to even think about that. ‘No way…’ But now the scenario is playing through my head and making my doubt worse.
River gets to his feet as the rain picks up, extending a hand to help me. ‘How about you stop trying to un-alive yourself via raindrop over some idiot dude and allow me to walk you home before we both get pneumonia?’
Taking his hand, I let him to pull me up. ‘I’m parked in the garage across the street.’ I motion in that direction.
‘Then let me walk you to your car after your rough day.’
I agree, walking next to him through the park. ‘Will you answer something honestly? No matter how much you think it might hurt my feelings?’
We stop on the sidewalk, looking for traffic that’s sparse at this time. ‘That’s kind of my life’s motto.’ He steps into the street first, me following at his side.
‘It’s also one of the reasons I like you. Do you think Conner is telling people he has a fiancée?’
He shakes his head. ‘Nope,’ he says without hesitation.
‘What makes you say that so confidently?’
‘He let his friend insult you. If I were in love with a woman, I’d never let my friends diss her. Not to mention he’s sending you emojis. That’s a total cop-out. Grow a pair and talk to your lady.’
I bite my lip to hide the smile growing on my face. ‘You’re sweet, Riv. I’ve never ended a conversation with you without feeling better. That’s talent. Thank you.’
‘The pleasure is all mine. For the record, and keeping myself honest, I think you’re dating a boy, Jade. Maybe you should ask yourself what you truly want in a man and decide if Conner has any of those qualities. It’s not too late to say no to his proposal.’
How do I figure that out while he’s hardly speaking to me and across the country?
River stops with me in front of my bright blue Mazda.
‘This is me,’ I say, avoiding letting those last words he’s just said sink in. I click the unlock button on my keys, and River opens my driver’s side door for me.
‘Your chariot awaits, madam.’ Before he closes me into my car, he leans down to look me in the eye. ‘If you ever need to talk, I’m always available. I’m a fun guy too; hang out with me and I’ll lead you astray, far from all your worries.’
He says it with a wink, a hint of flirtatiousness in his voice. My heart may have also done a little dance with the playful way he approaches life. This is why I like River, he seems fun. That’s dangerous considering the situation I’m in. But we could totally be friends while I figure my relationship out. ‘Platonically,’ I suggest, partially to remind us both that I’m an engaged woman.
‘Right,’ he says, lifting his hands as though he wouldn’t dare make it anything more. ‘Platonic is my specialty. How else do you explain nearly thirty and single? Let me distract you from your current boy problems – in a completely non-romantic way.’
