Page 48 of Denim & Diamonds

She smiled. “Well, that’s exciting. Tell me about him. How did you two meet?”

I nibbled on my lip, not sure how to explain without getting myself in trouble. Trinity misread what was going on in my head.

“There’s no judgment here, February.”

“It’s not that… It’s—well, let me ask you something. Is everything I tell you in here confidential?”

“Of course.”

“So you can’t discuss what I tell you with the administration?”

Trinity shook her head. “You signed paperwork when you were admitted that says I can share private information with other members of the medical staff if it is critical to your care. Like, if we were changing one of your medications, I might need to discuss that with the nurses in charge of dispensing. But I don’t discuss what we talk about in here, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I still wasn’t positive I wasn’t going to screw myself by telling her the truth, but I needed to talk to someone about my feelings for Brock. So I decided to take the risk. “I’ve sort of been sneaking out at night and going to a local bar. I climb out the window in my room and go down a ladder.”

Trinity’s jaw fell open. I chuckled. “I told you about my best friend and my ex getting married and me having sex on a hot mic, and that’s the first time you’ve shown any real reaction.”

She smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be trained to not show surprise or judgment, but the thought ofyou climbing down a ladder in the dark just caught me off guard.”

I smiled back. “It’s fine. I know it’s a little nutty.”

“So this man Brock, you met him at a local bar?”

“He owns it, yeah.”

“Tell me about him.”

“Well, he’snothinglike any man I’ve ever dated.”

“Do you mean physically or his personality?”

“Both. Physically, I usually date guys who look like my ex-husband or Tobias—tall, trim, clean-shaven, and well-dressed. Brock is tall, but that’s where the similarities end. He’s burly, with broad shoulders and a beard, and he usually wears flannels and jeans. But it’s more than that. Brock has a different set of priorities than any of the men I’ve been with. He has five brothers, and he spends a lot of time with them. He also prioritizes the people who live in his small town over the size of his apartment.”

“Those all sound like pretty good qualities in a partner.”

My face fell. “That’s the problem. I don’t think I can be a partner to him.”

“Why not?”

“Well, for one, I live in New York City, and he lives here. I like to shop and travel, and I barely see my sister once a year. Brock doesn’t like big cities and has deep roots here in Meadowbrook, and…I don’t want to get hurt if we can’t work it out.”

“Do you like him a lot? Think he could otherwise have long-term potential?”

I didn’t have to think about those answers. I nodded. “I’m crazy about him, and while it’s only been a couple of weeks, something in my gut tells me he could be something special in my life.”

“Have you spoken to him about your concerns? Shared your fears with him?”

I shook my head. “I’m not good at that. I don’t like to look weak.”

“Sharing your fears with someone isn’t being weak, February. It’s just the opposite. It’s being brave.”

***

Later that night, I snuck out my usual window, and Brock picked me up just outside the entrance to Sierra.

“Hey you.” I pulled the truck door shut.

Brock hooked his big hand around my neck and drew me to him. “Come here.”