No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Jacqueline muttered under her breath, "It's raining outside. Why not talk here?" only to receive a sharp glance from Herschel.

"Mom, didn't you say something about baking apple pies? I'll help you with that," Dustin said, jumping in to defuse the tension that had briefly flared between his mother and Herschel. I didn't say a word, just got up and followed Conrad outside.

He waited for me at the door, umbrella in hand.

Honestly, whatever private things he wanted to discuss could have been said in any room of the house. We didn't need to step out into the rain for a heart-to-heart.

But he had his reasons, I suppose, and I didn't ask.

"Aren't you cold? Do you want me to grab you a jacket?" Conrad asked, ever so considerate.

I had to admit, he seemed more attentive than before, more... boyfriend material, if you will. But it was too late.

"No need," I said, taking the umbrella from his hand and stepping into the rain.

Conrad didn't protest, simply joining me in the downpour. "Do you remember the last time we walked in the rain like this?" he asked.

to flash floods in the city.

always going overboard, wanted to

idea, saying, "Sure, you can summon a helicopter, but what about the rest of the staff? As the company's CEO, if you just up and leave by air, what kind of message does that

didn't call the helicopter. Instead, he walked home with everyone else, umbrella in

to avoid getting wet, but in such rain,

initial irritation, I

fight that ended up being more fun than frustrating. Even when a

memory, I understood why

how sweet those memories were, they

hope,

bitterly. "You don't have to be so

through the puddles, saying, "I'm just trying

so rational. That's not like you," he

go of or hold on to," I replied, looking up at him. "What did you want to talk about? Is

you is the biggest loss and

is it