Page 75 of Blind Date
“You’re welcome.” She sat on the couch like she owned the place. “You know what I think?”
“I have no doubt you’re going to tell me.”
“I think you’re being dumb. Hear me out. You love my mom, and don’t stand there and try to deny it. I’ve seen the way you look at her. She told me you used her to clean up your reputation. But I don’t believe that. Just like you don’t believe it either.”
I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“See. The fact that you have no words proves my point.”
“Zoey, it’s complicated.”
“No, it isn’t, Wes.” She leaned back on the couch cushions. “My mom teaches English Lit. She’s made me read the books. So, I know a lot about stupid men ruining perfectly good relationships.”
“Are you comparing me to Mr. Darcy?”
“You bet I am. You’re being Mr. Darcy before he gets his act together.”
“You’re very insightful for a sixteen-year-old.” I smiled.
“I try.” She shrugged. “This is all my fault.”
“Why do you think that?” I furrowed my brows and sat down next to her.
“I’m the one who signed her up for the auction. After the Chris and Gym Girl Brittany debacle, she wasn’t the same. Her heart was broken. She felt bad about herself.And she kept replaying scenes in her head, trying to figure out what she did wrong. She did nothing wrong, Wes. Chris was an insecure little fitness freak who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.”
“Zoey!”
“It’s the truth. Then you won a date with her, and her life imploded once again. If I hadn’t signed her up, none of?—”
“Stop. None of this is your fault or your mother’s. I’m to blame for everything. Me.” I jammed my finger into my chest.
“Listen, I know you're scared or whatever.”
“Whatever?” My brow arched.
“Adult trauma. Fear of commitment. Rich people’s issues. Who the hell knows. But here’s the thing. You don’t get to decide what’s best for my mom, and you don’t get to decide for me either.”
“What do you mean, Zoey?”
“I want you in our lives. Even though you tore my mom’s heart to pieces, I know you didn’t mean to. Don’t ask me how. I just know. But if you broke my mom’s heart because you’re scared, that’s your choice. But if you did because you think you’re protecting us from you, that’s just arrogant.”
I sat there speechless at this girl who’d become important to me without me even realizing it.
“You’re right, Zoey.”
“I know I am. I’m always right. It’s a teenager thing.” She smiled.
She stood from the couch and slung her purse strap over her shoulder.
“You’re leaving?” I asked.
“Yes. I have friends to hang out with. Anyway, that’s my unsolicited advice.” She headed toward the foyer andstopped. “Oh, and for the record, girls love grand gestures.”
“Do they, now?” I raised my brow.
“The right girl does.” She smiled. “I believe everyone deserves a second chance.” She walked out the door, leaving me standing there with the one thing I’d always tried to avoid—hope.
Chapter Thirty-Two
