Chapter 5
MelanieI dabbed at my mascara in the mirror. What was I doing? What’s wrong with me? I was being a jerk to Pete. All he did was take me out on a date, to a nice restaurant. Why couldn’t I enjoy it? A sinking realization hit me. He was attractive, nice, had a good job, and loved his grandma. He was perfect, but I couldn’t fall for him. I needed to go home. I wiped the last of my tears from my eyes and steeled my spine to march back into the dining area.
He was sitting where I left him, pushing the food around on his plate. I stood next to the table when he glanced up.
“I need to go home,” my voice tight and abrupt.
“Yeah, this was a mistake.” His shoulders hunched in. A bit of guilt hit me, he looked so sad.
“I’m not ready to date. It’s not you. It’s me.” I cringed inside as
