Free Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans Page A

Marc?”
    â€œYes, but it’s more than that. I mean, look at this guy.”
    â€œYeah, I saw him. He’s gorgeous. What’s the problem?”
    â€œHave you ever been sitting in the stands at a ball game and someone turns around and waves at you and you smile and start to wave back when you realize they’re waving to someone behind you?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œThat’s how I feel.”
    Roxanne rested her hands on her hips. “Well, girl, look at those flowers. He’s definitely waving at you.”
    â€œIt just doesn’t feel right. He’s younger, painfully handsome, and nice.”
    â€œWhat a nightmare . . .”
    â€œCome on, Rox, you have to admit that it
does
n’t make sense.”
    â€œNo, you need to admit that it does. Why can’t you just accept that someone might find you desirable?”
    I frowned. “I don’t know. Probably because I feel like damaged goods.” I went back to pressing. “Besides, my heart tells me not to trust it. It’s the first rule of love and money—if it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
    â€œYou’re too cynical.”
    â€œI’m just trying to be smart for a change.”
    â€œIf running from happiness is smart, then I’d rather be dumb. Better dumb than lonely.”
    â€œWell, I’m both.”
    â€œJust give it a try, Beth. You’ve had a rough year. Have a little fun for a change. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
    I looked up at her. “I could like him.”

We rarely worry about the correct things.
    Beth Cardall’s Diary
    Friday morning Matthew came by the cleaners. Roxanne was up front when he came in.
    â€œIs Beth here?”
    â€œShe sure is,” she said. “You’re Matthew?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œMy mother is ma’am. I’m Rox. I’ll get her for you.” She ran back to get me, her face bright with excitement. “He’s here.”
    â€œWho’s here?”
    â€œ
Him
. Matthew.”
    â€œOh.” I looked up through the glass. He was standing there, his hands in his pockets. I hung up the trousers and walked up front.
    He smiled when he saw me. “Good morning.”
    â€œHi.”
    â€œI was just making sure we’re still on for tonight.”
    I nodded. “I found a babysitter.”
    He smiled. “Awesome. Then I’ll see you at seven.”
    â€œSeven it is.”
    â€œDo you like Italian food?”
    â€œI love Italian.”
    â€œGreat. I was thinking dinner and a movie.” He just stood there awkwardly, then said again, “Well, great. See you at seven.” He turned and walked out.
    Roxanne walked in before the front door closed. “Girl, that boy is smitten.”
    â€œWill you quit spying on me?”
    â€œNo way.”
    I shook my head and walked back to the press. Roxanne followed me back.
    â€œSo what are you and the hunk doing on your date?”
    â€œDinner and a show.”
    â€œNo show—bad choice for a first date. Movies are for old, boring couples who have run out of things to say. Like me and Ray.”
    â€œIt’s not my choice.”
    â€œYou’re the woman, it’s always your choice. Just take your time at dinner and then suggest something else. Trust me, smitten as he is, he’s eager to please.”
    â€œSuggest something else, like what?”
    â€œGirl, you’re almost thirty. Think of something.”
    I shook my head. “No. Absolutely not. Nothing physical. Not even a kiss.”
    â€œAre you really trying to run him off?”
    â€œMaybe. Besides, he said he just wants to be friends.”
    She looked at me incredulously. “He didn’t say that.”
    â€œYes, he did.”
    â€œHe
really
said that?”
    â€œYes,” I repeated. “He
really
said that.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œAt the supermarket.”
    â€œThen he’s a liar.