Laurel chanted as she retrieved the car seat from Kale's porch and slipped Kimmy into it. She wished she had someone to talk to—a girlfriend or someone who might understand all of the crazy things running through her mind and her heart. As the lights of Kale’s house disappeared in her rearview mirror, the tightness in her chest didn’t. The feelings of wanting him to hold her and make things better didn’t either. The tears burning her eyelids wouldn’t go away and she considered flipping a u-turn in the middle of town to return to his house and back to his arms. “Not an option, Laurel,” she said out loud. “Yes, he wants you. Yes, you are attracted to him and he is to you, but it can’t go anywhere.” But you want it to. “No—no, I don’t.” Yes, you do. You want him to be the man of your dreams. You want him to force Dennis from your mind and your heart. The darkness of the parking lot in front of her apartment complex did nothing to calm her nerves when she pulled in several minutes later.
