CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jim feels the same way I do, I can feel it. It's in the slight touches we share. It's in the things we say to each other. Our feelings for each other are so bright, so strong, that's impossible to ignore them. We have to give in to our urges.

That is, we have to give in to our urges if people stop getting in the way of us exploring that connection.

“I'm just saying, stay away from my man,” Emily says.

I look at her completely baffled. Why would she invite me to this diner just to level threats at me? Well, she has another thing coming because I'm not one to back down from threats. I’m not going to let her walk all over me.

It's safer here anyway. It makes every threat sound absurd because what is she going to be able to do here? It's a busy afternoon, with folks bustling about everywhere.

It’s nice. The diner is quite a ways away from Jim's mother shop, but I like it. It speaks to me. It's not high class. It's not trying to be something it's not. And I'm not trying to be somethin