Finding Atonement by Jessica Ames

Author:Jessica Ames [Ames, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-21T23:00:00+00:00

17

Jared

I’m nervous as hell about taking Nia to dinner. My gut churns as I get dressed in a button-up, the collar open and a pair of dark stonewash jeans with my boots. I thought about getting more dressed up, but that’s not me, and I figure it’s best to be myself.

I don’t know what possessed me to ask her to dinner. This… it’s not me. I don’t ask women out, but maybe the time to let go of the past has come. I should feel weird about taking Nia out, but all I feel is peace. It’s a weird sensation. It’s been so long since I was at peace with anything. Coop keeps me grounded most of the time, keeps me putting one foot in front of the other, but this is a different kind of feeling, one I’m not sure I can explain. I just know when I’m with her my world slows down. It feels complete. I feel complete.

I push down the guilt at having this thought. Maybe I should have stayed true to Robyn, but I need more than just my son. I love him with everything I have, but I’m not a man designed to be alone. My emotions war with me, and eventually, I silence them by assuring myself it’s dinner, not a marriage proposal.

I drive over to the address Nia gave me earlier. She lives in a nice part of town, although her building looks like it needs a little maintenance. It’s a small apartment block with a well-developed garden surrounding the property and a little parking lot to the side of it. The light cladding to the building makes it look fresh and bright.

A sudden swell of pride rolls through me. She survived her ex and built herself a good life here. Not many people would have the tenacity, the strength to do that.

I pull into an empty space and cut the engine. Then I climb out of the car and start for the front door of the apartment block. There’s a number of buzzers on the wall outside and I find the one for Nia, pushing the button.

After a moment, a breathless sounding Nia answers with an “I’ll be right down.”

Before I can reply, she’s gone.

I move to the low wall at the side of the building and perch against it while I wait for Nia. It feels like it takes an age. In fact, I wait so long, I consider pushing the button again, but just as I’m contemplating this the apartment’s main door opens and she steps out.

And I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. She looks amazing. She’s wearing a soft summer dress in light blue and a pair of wedges that accentuate her legs. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help but gawk at her.

She shifts and asks a little nervously, “Am I overdressed?”

Finally, finding my voice, I shake my head. “Not at all. You look gorgeous.”

Her head ducks, but I see the smile grace her lips, and it only adds to her beauty.

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