Page 30 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
A one-word answer.
I waited with my fingers crossed, hoping he’d keep talking, but he took his last bite and stayed quiet.
Well, I guess that was that.
As much as I wanted to spend time with Hunter, I wouldn’t be ignored. I wouldn’t be kept at arm’s length. Not ever again.
My eyes searched the restaurant for our waitress. When she glanced my way, I held up a hand and signaled for the check. “Well, I’d better be going. I’ve got some work to do tonight. Thanks for joining me so I didn’t have to sit alone.” I didn’t wait for the check before diving into my purse for my wallet, yanking out five twenty-dollar bills.
“You don’t have to rush off. Did you want to stay for another drink or dessert?”
“No.” See that, Hunter? I can give one-word answers too.
He nodded. “All right, but I’ve got dinner.”
“This wasn’t a date so I’ll pay for my own. Thanks though.” I tossed my money on the table and slid out of the booth, but before I could make my escape, his hand gently wrapped around my elbow.
I gasped at the electricity zapping up my arm and my feet stopped. I turned and stared down at Hunter as my eyes followed his every move.
He grabbed my money, slid out of the booth and stood right in my space. My chin tipped back so I could keep his eyes. How had I never noticed just how tall he was? When his hand fell away from my elbow, I immediately wanted it back. How was it possible to be annoyed with a man but still want to wrap my arms around him at the same time?
“Maisy.” His voice was back to the warm, rich timbre I’d been hearing in my good dreams this past week. “I’m buying dinner.”
I swallowed hard. “Okay.”
“Thank you for letting me eat with you. I’m sorry for not being very talkative tonight. I guess it was just a long day.”
How would I know if he’d had a long day? He hadn’t told me anything. In the hour that we’d been sitting together, I knew no more about him than I had two days ago.
“Sure, I understand. It’s fine.” It wasn’t, but I didn’t tell him the truth. I wanted some space, some time to mourn another bad date. Some time to come to grips with the fact that this chemistry between us was all we’d ever share. “I’m just going to head out. Good night, Hunter.”
“Wait.” He touched my elbow, and again, my body’s response overruled my brain’s decision. “I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow at one o’clock.”
Shit. The pictures. “Don’t worry about it. You’re off the hook. I appreciate you appeasing my mom the other day but you don’t need to—”
“Tomorrow. One o’clock. I’d really like the opportunity to do this project.”
I was tempted to argue, to tell him I wanted a photographer with more experience, but the hopefulness in his eyes melted my resolve. “Okay. Tomorrow.”
Our waitress came over with the bill and I used her arrival as my chance to leave, not wasting any time rushing out the doors and getting in my 4Runner. What a bummer. By the time I got home, I was ready for my dessert. I sat on my couch with a pint of Häagen-Dazs and told myself I was glad.
I was glad I hadn’t told Gigi about Hunter. I was glad I didn’t have to call her and explain that he and I hadn’t hit it off after all. I was glad I’d learned all this before my heart could get attached.
I was glad things between us would be simple.
I’d let Hunter take pictures for the motel. I’d let him rent out room eight for a couple more weeks. Then I’d say good-bye to Hunter Faraday and hope my feelings for him disappeared as soon as he checked out of my inn.
Hunter
Ten feet from the motel’s lobby door, my phone rang. Digging it out of my pocket, I cursed at the name on the screen. Nell.
If I didn’t answer, she’d keep calling all afternoon and I didn’t want her distracting me from my time with Maisy. I hit accept and pressed the phone to my ear. “Yes?”
“I was just calling to check on you. See if you’re doing okay. You sounded so down last night.”
“I’m fine. I told you the same last night.”
“Oh, Hunter. I miss you so much.”
