Page 87 of The Perfect Distraction

“I agree.”

“Do you want to be with me when I tell him?”

His question caught her off guard. “Do you think I should be?”

He shrugged. “My guess is as good as yours. I’ve never done this before.”

She studied him as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“It’s not that I never went out with anyone. It’s that I never met anyone that I was serious enough about to bring into Joey’s life.”

She took his admission as a compliment, but it also gave her a twinge of nervousness. She never wanted to hurt Joey, but how could she be sure she wouldn’t? Despite her feelings for Colton, there were still some major roadblocks they’d have to overcome.

Could they survive a long-distance relationship? How often would they be able to see each other? Would Colton be willing to travel with Joey to visit her? With all his responsibilities, how would she be able to fit into his life? It was easy right now with her living next door, but that would change in a matter of weeks, and then what?

“You’re not eating,” he said, looking down at her plate.

“I’m still full from the donuts Becca and I had earlier.”

“Is that all, or is there something else?”

“How come you can read me so well?”

He squeezed her thigh under the table. “We’ll figure it out, Beth. Don’t worry so much.”

“I’ll try not to,” she said, giving him a weak smile.

His phone, which had been lying on the table, buzzed with an incoming text.

“It’s from Lynne. They’re on the way home.”

They quickly finished their lunch and stood up to leave. After waving goodbye to Mary, Colton took her hand again and led her out the door.

They walked in silence for a few minutes until Colton asked, “Should we tell Joey when he gets home?”

“Are you sure you’re ready to?”

He halted in the middle of the sidewalk and cupped her face in his warm hands. “I’m ready, Beth. I think the real question is, are you?”