He gave a brief, nervous laugh.
“Fair enough.”
He started to leave.
Then he stopped.
“I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
The sincerity in his voice made me pause.
“Jake, come in for a minute. But leave the door open.”
He did as I asked, remaining near the doorway while I sat on the edge of the bed.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he said, “I know I’ve been acting strangely.”
I waited.
“I think I’ve developed feelings for you.”
The words seemed to drain all the air from the room.
I had suspected it.
Some part of me had even feared hearing it.
But suspicion and certainty were two very different things.
“Jake, you’re eighteen. You’re starting a new chapter of your life. You have so many things ahead of you.”
“I know.”
“And I’m married to your uncle.”
“I know that, too.”
“Then you understand why this conversation can’t go any further.”
