Page 12 of Summer Storm (Seasons In Montana: Summer #9)

Manny

…one year later…

“Manny we have to talk.”

Uh-oh, here it comes– the ultimatum. Seriously, I’ve been expecting it for a couple of months now.

I honestly don’t know why I’ve been dragging my feet.

Jolie is a nice woman. She’s smart and funny.

She’s also stylish and smells nice. She’s good company and a good friend even though we don’t have many interests in common, and I guess the sex is nice.

I love Jolie just like I love her twin, Jorie, but… there just isn’t any spark. No fireworks or crazy out-of-control feelings. I love her, I just don’t love her…

“Manny? Let me start by saying, you’re a great guy.

You’re smart and funny. I like your company even though we don’t have much in common.

You’re a good friend, and you usually smell nice when you aren’t covered in motor oil or engine fluids.

The sex is nice, not great but not bad either…

and really, it’s not you, it’s me. God, I’m screwing this up, but even you have to admit there isn’t one drop of passion or excitement between us.

We’re easy like a pair of those ugly shoes you see on TV.

You know the ones you don’t have to bend over to put on?

And Manny, I want to bend over, you know?

Because life is too short to wear the fucking ugly shoes!

Ah, hell, that came out wrong, too. Don’t think I’m comparing you to ugly shoes, it’s just that there isn’t any sparkle between us.

No fireworks or out-of-control feelings, and honestly, I think it’s this place.

I’m in the wrong place. Living in Wintervale is slowly leaching the life right out of me.

I need action! I need adventure! I need passion! What I’m trying to say is I’m leaving.”

“You’re leaving? But…”

“I love you, Manny, but I just don’t love you, you know?