Page 64 of Denim & Diamonds

Something is off.

“You shouldn’t be walking alone. But you already know that. This is a very desolate area.”

“What choice did I have if I wanted to come find you?”

“You could’ve called, and I would’ve come to you. You know that.”

“I didn’t want to stop you if you were working.” She looked down at the ax on the ground. “Obviously, you’re busy.”

“Let’s talk over here.” We walked toward the back of the property where we could have some privacy. “What’s wrong, February? You look like something is bothering you.”

“You’re right.” She exhaled. “Somethingisbothering me.”

“Talk to me. What’s going on?”

She frowned. “I got a phone call earlier on your phone.”

“Okay…”

“It was your ex-girlfriend.”

Crap. What the fuck?

“I asked her if I could take a message, but she just told me to tell you to call her back. Apparently, you haven’t been returning her calls.”

“There’s nothing going on there, February. I don’t understand why she’s trying to reach me all of a sudden. But that’s correct—I haven’t been taking her calls.”

“She said it was important.”

“It’snotimportant.” I shook my head. “She’s trying to get back with me. And I want no part of it.”

She looked up at the sky. “I shouldn’t be upset, but it rattled me a little, that’s all. With me leaving soon, I’m just extra sensitive, I guess.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Whyhaven’tyou taken her calls?” She crossed her arms. “Is that how you treat someone you used to be involved with?”

“Trust me, it’s for her own good.”

February cocked her head. “Why?”

“Because it’s over between us. Nothing good can come from opening up the lines of communication again. She left. She made her decision. It was the right one. And I have no interest in entertaining what she has to say. Anything I tell her about what I’ve been up to since she left isn’t going to please her, because I’ve been happier than ever. I’m sorry if my attitude about the whole thing seems shitty, but I feel like my refusing to talk is inherbest interest, too.”

A look of worry crossed February’s face. “You really think she’s trying to get back with you?”

“I suspect that.”

“Why?”

I paused, unsure whether to elaborate. “Before she left, Nina had seemed sure I would change my mind. She’d bet that I’d come to my senses by her birthday, said she’d come back and we’d meet up at the placewhere we first met. Her birthday is approaching. That’s why she’s calling.”

“So you’re standing her up?”

“I’m doing what’s best for her instead of wasting her energy. Why would I want to let her down a second time?” I sighed. “I’ve also been in a good headspace lately. I don’t want to disrupt that. I’m setting boundaries. You know what I mean?”

Her shoulders seemed to relax. “I can understand that rationale,” she said. “When Tobias came here, it felt like the last thing I needed. I’d been so happy otherwise and was relieved when he left. So I can relate to having boundaries.”

“Sometimes we have to. As I get older, I’m learning that. It’s bad enough that everyone in this town seems to think they’re entitled to know everything about my life.”