“Wasn’t possible?” I knew his inquisitive nature wanted to know more, but I wasn’t going to budge. Rehashing everything that happened over the last twenty-two years to make me a solitary, lonely bastard wasn’t going to change the outcome.
“Leave it at that.” The firmness of my voice told him that I wouldn’t budge. He narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth as if to speak, but I cut him off. It was time to say what I had to say and leave. “If I have to replace the flooring in the downstairs bath and hallway you are looking at six to eight weeks to repair, because the walnut has to be custom ordered and shipped from the west coast. If the flooring can be salvaged, then we should have you good as new in two to four weeks.”
“Wow, okay. I’ll hope for door number two then.” I appreciated his attempt to inject a bit of humor into the conversation.
“I’ll know more tomorrow morning what we’re looking at and I’ll have an estimate for your insurance adjuster.” I looked away from his piercing eyes and noticed that my fingers were pulling on frayed strings next to a hole in my jeans. “I’m sure you have a life to get back to and I want you to know that you can trust my team to make sure the repairs are done right in your absence.”
“Ready to get rid of me so soon?” There was a sharp bite to his question. I looked up into angry eyes that were more green than blue. Mood eyes, I had dubbed them when we were younger. “Why even stop by tonight, Maverick? Why not hide behind Mack like you did this morning? He’s not a very good liar, you know.”
“I wanted to give you time to adjust to the fact that I was back.” My answer sounded weak and lame, even if it was partially true.
“Why? What did you think I would do? Launch myself at you in front of your crew as if you had just returned home from war?” He laughed derisively at his comment. “Look, I don’t want any bad feelings between us, Mav. You were once the most important person in my life. You said what happened was out of your control and I’m going to take your word for it, but do not play me for a fool. You stayed away to avoid the awkwardness for your own good, not mine.”
“Fair enough.” I conceded his point. “If I do make you uncomfortable then I don’t have to be on the job. Mack is more than capable of overseeing the project.”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to stay while the house gets repaired. Regardless if it’s two days or eight weeks, I don’t have a problem with you in my home. I’m not holding a grudge against you.” I knew he was being honest, but sensed he was holding something back. It wouldn’t be fair to push him after I drew a line in the sand just a few minutes prior, so I left it alone.
I slapped my thighs and rose to my feet. “Good to know. I’ll see you bright and early then.” I headed to the front door, but Noah calling my name stopped me. I turned and looked at him.
“Itisvery good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too, Noah.” I looked at the dog sitting beside him wagging her tail at me. She appeared to be oblivious to the tension between us that Noah was so hell bent on denying. “It’s nice to meet you, Madge.”
I gave Noah a quick nod and let myself out. Once I was away from his presence, a sadness descended upon me. I regretted the distance between us, but knew there wasn’t much I was willing to do about it. I could tell him what happened once my dad caught me sneaking back into my bedroom smelling like Noah and sex, but it would only hurt him. None of what happened was his fault and I was willing to carry my secret to the grave to keep from hurting him more than I already had.
I rode off into the night and resolved myself to keep things between us professional. I was trying to build a life here and he had a life somewhere else. No matter how much my body burned to relearn every inch of him, I wouldn’t give in. I couldn’t afford to get too close to him, because at some point he would drive away and take my heart with him.
