Page 19 of An Unexpected Turn
“It’s okay,” she said, smiling as she gave my arm a quick squeeze. “The point is, I have nothing to tell. Which is kind of sad.”
I flashed her a grin when she crinkled her nose, a ridiculous wave of relief relaxing me. Eventually, she’d date someone her own age and I’d have to get over myself.
Right or wrong, I was happy that day wasn’t today.
“What about you? Is Mike living with you full time messing with your bachelor lifestyle?” A wry smile drifted across her lips.
“Despite the rumors, living with a teenager doesn’t cramp my style.”
She squinted at me, a skeptical frown pulling down her lips.
“Are you sure about that?”
I leaned back, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“Why, you’re not?”
“Maybe I’m judging.” Her cheeks flushed pink. “I know you’re a nice guy, and a man who looks like you doesn’t always take advantage of it just because he can.”
“A man who looks like me?” I coughed out a laugh as I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “And what would you mean by that?”
“I didn’t ... I mean ...” She groaned and draped her hand over her eyes. “Stop looking at me until I can figure out a way to explain what I just said without making an idiot of myself.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I peeled her hand away from her eyes.
“I don’t think you’re an idiot. I’m flattered. And that’s why I thought the single guys around here would be beating a path to your uncle’s door. Like I’ve said, you’re beautiful, Peyton.”
After playing it safe with women ever since my divorce, why was this one always tempting me into the danger zone?
“Thank you,” she whispered, darting her eyes everywhere but mine. “This was nice. Thanks for bringing me with you today.”
“No need to thank me. It was nice for me too. This must be why the kids like you. You have a calming presence.”
She sputtered out a laugh before slurping the rest of her iced tea. As much as she captivated me to the point that I forgot how to act and speak, she did calm me. So much so that I dreaded having to drive her home.
What if I didn’t? What if I asked her to spend the rest of the afternoon with me so that I could find out why she felt like she’d left nothing behind? Who hurt her and how could I make it right?
I couldn’t ask that because it was already impossible to keep the distance that should have been between us. Each time I wanted more, and each time it was harder to cut myself off.
When Mary dropped off the check, I fished two twenties out of my wallet and tossed them onto the table. “That should cover us.” I hoped it was enough of a generous tip for Mary to keep her mouth shut about what she thought she saw.
“Jake, stop. You can’t treat me.”
“I can and I did. Ready?” When she walked past me, my hand flew to the small of her back as we headed outside. The urge to touch her in some way was too intense, and I reached out before I could stop it. That had been happening between us all day—again why, after I dropped her off, I needed to work harder to stay away from her.
I needed to, but I knew I wouldn’t. It was strange dreading my own next move.
“And listen,” I began once we climbed into my truck. “You have people in this town other than your family. You’re more home than you think.”
Her face crumpled for a moment.
“Thanks, Jake.” She reached out to squeeze my hand, the same nerve endings firing where our skin touched. I gave it a squeeze back and pulled out of the space.
I wished she’d show me something that would make me dislike her or want to back off, other than my best friend killing me over how I felt about her.
Wishing away how I felt about her was pointless because everything about her lured me in.
NINE
