“Ouch.” Anise grinned. “That hurt.” As she walked toward the door to meet with Bea and Jessica, Anise pointed two fingers at Alex, and mouthed, “I’m watching you.”
Sighing, Alex walked over. “Your sister hates me.”
“I don’t think it’s you, specifically. I think it’s more what you represent to her.”
“And what do I represent?”
“Someone who’ll hurt her little sister.”
He drew closer. “And what does little sister think?”
Dana ignored his question and fingered the edge of his t-shirt. “What’s with the outfit?”
“I was going to go for a run.”
“Ah.” He was definitely pale, and now that he was standing closer, she could tell he hadn’t showered since she saw him last. Although he had bed head, it suited him in ways she dared not contemplate. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“No.”
Leave it to Alex to give it to her straight. “I didn’t sleep much either.”
“Dana—”
“Alex, I want to thank you. For everything.”
A storm gathered in those green amber eyes. “But?”
“But it’s time for me to go home.”
“When can I see you again?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“I see. You got what you needed and now you’re done. Is that it?”
“You know that’s not the truth. I have a lot on my plate. I need to take some time for myself. A relationship just isn’t in the cards right now.”
“You said I helped you feel better. Those areyourwords, not mine.”
“I know.”
“Whatever comes next, you don’t have to do it on your own.”
“I’m trying hard to do the honorable thing here. You said yourself you’d like to have kids one day. Why on earth would I let myself get attached when I can make a clean break now?”
“You’re already attached.”
“Well, then, I’ll just have to detach myself.” She sighed. “Alex, this shouldn’t be so hard.”
He stepped right in front of her and reached his arm around her waist. His forehead lowered to hers. “The fact that it’s hard tells me you don’t want to go, and I don’t want to let you go.”
Dana closed her eyes and fought temptation. She lay a hand on his chest, intending to push him away, but she only melted against him. “Don’t.”
“See?” His minty breath fanned over her face. “You can’t leave. Don’t leave.”
Summoning all her power, Dana pulled herself out of his grip. “We’re done.”
His mouth hardened. “I’m not asking for forever, Dana. I’m just asking you not to write us off.”
