She Writes Love... by Sandi Lynn Page B

has just turned into a huge deal.”
    “Ah. I totally understand that. My family is the same way.”
    “My family can’t keep secrets. No matter how much they promise not to tell, they always do.”
    “I heard you mention a wedding. They’re getting married?” he asked.
    “Yeah. They just got engaged.”
    “So did my brother, Finn.”
    “I have one better. Charlotte announced that she’s pregnant the same day as Piper announced her engagement.”
    “Ouch. Double whammy isn’t good. How do you feel about that? Wait...don’t answer. I bet you’re happy for them on the surface, but deep down, you’re distraught and hurting because it’s hard to sit back and watch other people be happy when you’re miserable because your happiness was snatched away from you.”
    Wow. The tears filled my eyes as I sat there and listened to his truth. I had to look away and out the window before I made a fool of myself.
    “It’s okay, Paisley,” he said as he reached across the table and placed his hand on my arm. I feel the same way and nobody would or could ever understand unless they experienced what we did.”
    His touch. The feel of his hand on my skin. It felt good to feel a man’s touch again and it scared me. I didn’t pull my arm away because he meant well and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. It was a gesture. A simple way of saying that everything was okay.
    “You’re right,” were the words I could muster up.
    Suddenly, my phone beeped with a text message from Keaton.
    “Whatcha doing tonight, sis?”
    Then one from Charlotte came through.
    “Hey, just checking in to see if you’re doing okay. What are you up to?”
    And one last message from my mother.
    “Hi honey. Wanted to see how your week went. What are you up to right now?”
    I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “See, I told you,” I said as I held up my phone and showed him the text messages.
    “You weren’t kidding.” He chuckled.
    “Oh no. I don’t kid around when it comes to my family.” I laughed.
    “Do you mind?” he asked as he took my phone from my hand. “I’m going to put my phone number into your contacts in case you ever want to talk about anything.”
    I smiled at him as he handed me back my phone. When I took it from his hand, our fingers brushed lightly and a wave of hysteria swept over my body.
    “What else do you do besides being a fireman and running every day?” I asked.
    “I build furniture.”
    “Real furniture?” I asked.
    “Yes. Real furniture.” He chuckled.
    “That’s great. You have to be really talented and have a lot of patience to do something like that.”
    “It keeps me busy.”
    I looked at the clock on my phone. It was eleven o’clock. “Wow. I can’t believe it’s eleven already,” I said.
    “Is it really? I guess time flies when you’re having fun.” He smiled.
    We both got up from our seats and walked down the street back to our cars. As I unlocked my car door, Ben opened it for me.
    “Thank you.” I grinned.
    “You’re welcome. Thanks for having coffee with me tonight.”
    “You’re welcome. It was nice.”
    “It was. Be careful driving home and I’ll see you around sometime.”
    “You too. Thanks again, Ben.”
    “Bye, Paisley.”
    I got into my car and he shut the door. As I pulled away, I looked in the rear view mirror and he gave a small wave. I smiled all the way home.

Chapter 14
    Paisley
    A fter putting out my cigarette, I went back into the house and pet Romeo as he finished off his breakfast. I didn’t sleep at all last night because my mind was racing with the conversations Ben and I had. He seemed to be a really nice guy, not to mention he was hot. I felt guilty for having these thoughts about him in my head. I poured another cup of coffee and sat down at my desk. I pulled out the pale pink stationery and pen and began to write my weekly letter.
    My dearest husband,
    Crazy week, yet again. Kenny said the paper might be getting sued because of a question I