Page 65 of Renegade Rift
“Is that what you want me to do? Because I can absolutely carry you over to that couch, put you over my knee, and punish you for going on a date without telling me, especially with a man as douchey as that one.”
I suck in a gasp, fear gripping my spine.
“But I can see that’s not what you need. You already are doing a good enough job punishing yourself for that date. So what I’m offering is a safe place to talk about it. But also you need to know that if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay too. I’m here for whatever you need.”
The floor drops out from under me, and I’m almost positive my eyes are bugging out of my skull like in one of those old cartoons.
Ford chuckles, but it almost sounds sad. “Come on, Juliet, let’s get you something to drink and then we can sit.”
He steps away, taking his warmth with him as he moves around the kitchen taking care of me.
Once we’re sitting on the couch, me in my favorite spot in the corner, him safely two cushions away, I sip my drink and admit the recurring thought I can’t shake loose. “I’m not sure I’m made for dating.”
Ford lets out something that resembles a snort mixed with a laugh. “Not everyone is. Though I promise you, they won’t all be pretentious assholes.”
“But he’s not the only one.” It comes out more a complaint than a statement, and I feel the need to justify my answer. “All week I’ve been fielding conversations with men who only want to get between my legs. They don’t care to know my dreams, or what I like on my pizza.”
“Ah-ha” He points a finger like he’s caught me in a lie. “Trick question, you can’t eat pizza and you hate the gluten free crusts.”
“See?” I throw my hands up like it’s a lost cause. “You’ve at least asked, and we’re just friends.”
“Unfortunately, if you’re serious about dating, you’re going to have to play the field a bit and deal with more than a few bad dates.”
I’m going to kill Paige for conveniently leaving out that part in our conversation.
“Maybe I’m not as serious as I thought I was,” I muse, the sentiment slicing my already war-battered heart. “Or maybe I’m just bad at it. Things were different with Tyler. We were young and hopeless, but it was so easy. Now looking back, there were so many red flags that I didn’t see until it was too late. What if I miss the signs again? What if I don’t know where to look? Is it possible to be terrible at dating and still find someone to love?”
“Fuck,” Ford breathes, like the curse is part of his being. “You’re killing me, Juliet.”
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I didn’t mean to drop this all on you. I just—you told me whatever I needed and?—”
“Hey.” He stops me, scooting closer, but not close enough that he’s touching me. He even looks down to make sure he’s not encroaching on my space. “That’s not what I meant.I love that you’re sharing this with me. I love any moment you decide to trust me. You’re killing me because I want what’s best for you. And I hate hearing you put yourself down like that. Because first of all, I guarantee you when it came to Tyler it wasn’t you that was the problem. But also, because when you hurt, I hurt Juliet.”
His eyes are sincere, not a hint of irritation or anger in them.
Geeze.
Every girl deserves a Ford McCoy in their life.
Tears well in my eyes, making my voice crack. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Ford sinks back into the couch, but stays close. “I just had an idea to help you, and it’s either genius or will ruin everything.”
“For me or for you?” My curiosity piques, because at this point what do I have to lose?
“Both, unfortunately.”
I lean forward and rest my elbows on my propped up knees and my chin in my hands. “Go on.”
“What if I teach you?”
“Teach me what? How to date?” I manage to keep my voice even despite the way my stomach flips, a buzzing feeling taking root. It feels eerily like butterflies, which have no business taking flight.
“I mean I can’t say I’m a pro, considering I’m very much single and alone, but that’s by choice, not because I haven’t dated around.” My thoughts drift to his alias Eugene as he works his hand across the back of his neck. “Fuck, this is coming out wrong. I told you it was a bad idea.”
“I’m pretty sure you said it was genius.”
“Or that it would ruin everything.” Hurt flashes in his eyes but they remain locked on me. “I don’t want to ruin things between us.”
