His hard jaw made a return. “I’ll be one of the bosses. I’ll get time off.”
“Oh.” No more words came to mind.
“We’re good together, Autumn.” The sincerity in his gaze devastated me.
“We are good together.” But that wasn’t the deal! Our bargain had a defined beginning and a definite end. Gideon was the fantasy I got to live and then remember forever after.
If I kept seeing him? That would be my dream come true. Except our castles were over eight hundred miles apart. I wasn’t a princess and he wasn’t royalty.
He put his big hand around his ice water and slowly turned the glass. “Is this like asking you to go to Spokane and meet my parents?”
“Mark didn’t have divorce papers drawn up on our third date.”
Gideon winced. “Yes. The divorce.”
Exactly. “How would that work? We divorce and then start dating?”
“If that makes you more comfortable,” he said cautiously.
More comfortable? Did he realize the walls I’d had to build around my heart because of those damn documents? Did he know that every day was a pep talk so I wouldn’t fall faster and harder for him?
“Autumn. You’re upset.”
My chuckle came out reedy. “You’ve caught me off guard. The end has always been tomorrow, and now I have to suddenly shift my thinking.”
“You don’t need to decide immediately.” He continued spinning the glass. “I just thought...”
He thought I’d jump at his offer just like I’d leaped into bed with him. Just like I’d said an exuberant yes when he’d claimed we should get married.
So why wasn’t I?
He set his glass upright. “I thought you had enjoyed the last few weeks like I have.”
Despite the conflict raging inside me, a tangle I couldn’t sort, I warmed at his confession. “I absolutely did. I’ll never get rid of those Pinocchio suspenders.”
Heat infused his eyes. “You’ll have to pack them.” He cleared his throat and the spark of desire was gone. “If you come visit.”
I’d be flying to Vegas. For a booty call. “A long-distance relationship.”
“They’re done by couples everywhere.”
Junie had tried. Three of her last four boyfriends had cheated on her. Logically, I knew Gideon was right, but Junie was my only exposure to long-distance dating.
The server appeared with our sandwiches. I smiled atGideon, unsure of what to say.Yes, absolutely? No, it’ll never work? Can I think about it?Nothing seemed to fit the moment.
Wasn’t that the issue? I wasn’t ready to give him a resounding yes.
We couldn’t talk and eat, and each of us seemed to need the reprieve. I had to work out my feelings, and with each delicious bite, my decision grew clearer. When it was time to go, he paid. His hand was on the center of my back as we exited the restaurant into the cold air.
Too soon, we were at the airport. The plan was to drop him off at the departure area. I wouldn’t walk in. There’d be no tearful goodbyes. Our deal would be done. Neither of us had gotten what we’d wanted, but we were adults.
I should be rejoicing. I should be readying myself to jump onto the sidewalk and kiss his handsome face off. If I said yes, it’d only be a matter of time before we were together again.
Celebrating was the last thing I wanted to do.
Gideon pulled to the curb behind a line of cars. He’d been driving all day. This car felt like it was his. But then, he’d never gotten a vehicle of his own. Bourbon Canyon had always been meant to be temporary.
He got out and unloaded his luggage from the back. It’d been so easy for him to pack. Until lunch, he’d been planning to leave.
