Page 57 of Wild Fire

Lacey looks up at me from her coffee cup.

“So… who is he?”

“Huh?” I blink, slipping out of my daydreams and back into reality.

“You’ve had your head up in the clouds for the last three days, Nate. You’re either in love or you’ve got some serious brain fog,which, if that is the case, I might suggest getting checked out by a medical professional.”

She sips her coffee with attitude, and I can’t help but shake my head.

Just as I am about to change the subject, my phone goes off with a notification of a text, and I know who it is without looking.

We’ve been texting each other on and off for the last couple days, since he’s been on call and I’ve been working late because Halloween is just around the corner. I have to admit it’s nice, even though they are probably the most basic texts ever.

He texts me every morning to say good morning, and I text him every night before I go to bed. It almost feels like we’re together. Except we haven’t actually gone on a date. I know not all men want to be in a relationship. Plenty are fine with just living the single life and enjoy the freedom it provides when it comes to their sex life. I’ve been with enough men to know that sex does not equal a relationship.

But I don’t think what’s going on between AJ and me is just physical, either.

Though I can’t deny that there is definitely a solid physical attraction there that goes both ways.

But could I have a relationship with him?

What would that even look like?

I don’t know, and the more I think about it, the crazier I feel.

Which is why I asked him to meet me for lunch today. To talk.

Clear the air.

Ask him if he’d like to go on a date… for real. I know better than to put all my eggs in one basket, and staying here because of a guy is not a good reason to stay. Especially when I don’t know how that guy feels about me.

I’ve already seen how that movie ends, and I don’t need a straight-to-DVD sequel version.

But I’ve thought about it. About staying.

Which is why I shouldn’t go down this road again. But AJ isn’t Evan.

Not even close.

“I’m just meeting AJ for lunch. It’s not that serious.”

Lacey hums as she sips her coffee.

“You like him.”

I tense as heat floods my cheeks, and I know there’s no use denying the truth because it’s written all over my face.

“It’s… complicated,” I say, averting her gaze.

“What’s complicated about it?”

“I—” I try to find the words, but I can’t.

“He clearly likes you,” she says nonchalantly.

“I know he likes me, but I don’t know if he likes me.”

Like I like him.