I should feel guilty, but I keep reminding myself that in the time Reed and I dated and then lived together, he never made love to me—not completely. The more I think on it, the more it makes me wonder if he was ever attracted to me. Mitch sure as hell wants me, and he’s not ashamed to show it. He flirts relentlessly and he’s always touching me. I’m weakening toward him. I like him. I like him a lot. It’s not love, but I’m not sure I’ll ever love anyone again. I still love Reed—but I hate him, too.
He pushed me away. He didn’t even try to keep me. Katie was right. I am mad. I want a man who would make me a priority—who wants me above anything and anyone else. Mitch makes me feel like he does, and he tells me he does.
That has to mean something.
I haven’t had sex with him, yet. We have had some heavy petting sessions, but I haven’t been able to say yes when he asks for more. I know I’m holding out to see if Reed changes his mind and comes back to me. It makes me feel stupid and weak, but it’s true.
“She definitely looks rough,” he laughs. “Now that you’re going to be working at the diner, you should buy yourself a better vehicle, babe. Something safer. I worry about you being out late at night alone.”
I frown. It is something to think about. I start working at the diner next week. I switched there from the flower shop, because of the pay and hours. I’ll be full-time at the diner, and I’ll get to keep my tips. I have a friend that works there that says she can make up to three hundred a night with tips on Saturday night. With money like that, I can afford to get out of Macon if I want to, and that idea is holding more and more appeal. I go out of my way not to see Chasity or Reed, but it does happen and each time it hurts. They’re rarely together, but that doesn’t really help. It’s painful no matter what.
“Maybe. Mildred has been a good car, though. She’s pretty loyal. Even when she breaks down it seems to only happen in my driveway. She’s never left me stranded. It seems that should be rewarded, not replaced,” I mumble.
“I can see that,” he says, surprising me.
“You can?” I ask, shocked.
He leans in close, his minty breath caressing the side of my face, sending shivers of awareness through my body.
Mitch is hot and we’ve been together before. So, I know he knows how to bring me pleasure. It’s more than that, though. When he’s around me, he has this way of making me believe all he wants in the world is me.
That’s hard for a girl to resist.
Especially one who has had her pride and heart broken.
“Yeah. One should never take loyalty for granted, Callie. When someone cares about you enough to always put you first, I think that’s someone you should hold onto.” His hand comes up to move along the side of my neck and he caresses the tender skin there, making my pulse jump. “Maybe even take them to your new home and let them make it theirs, too.”
“We’re not talking about cars anymore are we, Mitch?” I breathe, looking into his eyes.
“What do you think?”
I pull back to look at him.
“Why do you keep putting up with me, knowing the mess I’m trying to sort through with your brother, Mitch?”
“That’s easy, sweetheart. You’re worth it. You let me taste your sweetness and I’m not going to stop until I have—”
“Mitch it was one night—”
“I’m not talking about sex, Callie. I’m talking about it all. How you nursed me when I was sick. How you make dinner for the Johnsons, because you know Mrs. Johnson isn’t able and Mr. Johnson can’t cook. It’s how you have two kittens because you couldn’t turn them away when someone set them out. It’s everything you are, Callie. That’s the sweetness I want in my life. You’re amazing.”
“You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Just because my brother was stupid enough to push you away for the likes of Chasity, doesn’t mean I’m stupid, Callie. You’re all I want in this world. I can wait until you’re ready, but I’m not going to back down and let someone else come in and try to steal away what I want.”
Damn. See?
Mitch keeps chipping away at the walls I’ve put up since Reed hurt me. He’s slowly making me want to believe someone could find me worth putting first—that I’m not asking for too much.
I almost tell him to go back home with me right then—to take that leap of faith and pray he is as good as he says he is. That he will love me like I’ve always wanted someone too.