Cabin Fire: A New Adult and College Romance (The Billionaire Romance Redemption Series Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

barista quickly made their beverages. While they waited, they found at table near a corner window. He brought their drinks over when they were settled.
    “Tastes good,” Abby said to Ruth as she had her first sip. “I should come here more often.”
    “Yes.”
    “So what did you want to talk about, Ruth?” It didn’t make sense waiting too long to get Ruth to open up.
    “I had an epiphany, and I wasn’t sure who to talk to about it.”
    “What do you mean? What kind of epiphany.”
    Ruth put down her cup of coffee and looked Abby right in the eye. “I don’t think we’re all cut out for relationships.”
    “Sorry. Come again?”
    “I’m not cut out for it. At least I don’t think I am. Not for any of it. Not relationships…or falling in love…or getting married. And definitely not kids.”
    “And why would you think that?”
    “Darwin.”
    “You mean the scientist who came up with the theory of natural selection?”
    “No. All this time, I thought I liked Rob, and I think I might like Darwin.”
    “I don’t know your friends, honey.”
    “He’s not my friend. He’s my dog back home.”
    “You like your dog?”
    “No. I love my dog.”
    Abby let it register. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear any more of it. “I’m…I’m not sure what to tell you.”
    Ruth finally realized what she had said, and raised up her hand. “No…gosh…sorry, I don’t mean it like that. I mean all this time I thought I wanted to be with Rob. And I like him. I really do. But I like being alone more. I like spending time alone, or with my dog. You know what I mean?”
    “I don’t think I do, Ruth. Are you sure you don’t want to talk to someone else about this? Perhaps with a close friend? Or a professional?”
    “I don’t want to talk to my therapist, Abby. Besides, he’s all the way back in Reno. Maybe this isn’t coming out right.”
    Abby stopped short. She was almost too nervous to ask the question. She summoned up a breath of courage and spit it out. “Are you and Rob thinking of not dating?”
    “I don’t know…maybe. Maybe I just need time to figure things out. I never planned on him liking me back. He was kind of like… like a fantasy. Someone I could be dreamy-eyed about, and admire from a safe distance. Then we spent that time in Lake Tahoe during the blizzard, and we got closer. And now, I don’t know if I like the fact that he likes me back. Is that weird?”
    Abby thought it was weird. Or maybe it was her state of mind from Andrew’s anger, rejection, avoidance, or whatever his reasons were for stepping back. But she knew better than to agree with Ruth.
    “I think the best thing you can do right now is talk to Rob about it. Take him out for a coffee, just like we’re doing now. Then take a deep breath, and tell him what you’re feeling.”
    Ruth didn’t react for a few moments. She stared down into her coffee, a grimace on her face. “I don’t want to hurt his feelings. I feel like a hypocrite. I was so overt before, so obvious about liking him for so long. Now that he’s finally interested, I’m the one wanting to back away.”
    “Maybe you just need time. But you can talk to him about that too. Just be honest with yourself. And then, go and be honest with Rob.”
    “You’re probably right.”
    Abby smiled and shook her head at Ruth. “Actually, I have no idea. I’m not an expert at love or romance, or even dating. No one is.”
    “Patty from that millionaire reality show is.”
    “What?”
    “An expert. At love and monogamy. Haven’t you seen that show?”
    “I don’t watch TV much, Ruth. The point I’m making is this. Only you and Rob can figure this out together.” Abby looked at her watch. “Did you want to talk about something else?”
    “Um. Nope.” She looked up from her drink and smiled at Abby. “Thanks for listening.”
    “No problem. Thanks for the yoga invite. It was pretty good. I enjoyed getting out. Come on, let’s go. I’ve got some project