She stared up at me, exasperated. ‘I have eyes, Jack.’
‘I know you do. Very pretty eyes.’
‘You might think there’s nothing going on,’ she told me. ‘But Hannah clearly wants more. Trust me, a woman knows these things.’
It was my turn to sound exasperated. ‘Don’t I get a say?’
‘Of course. But that’s for you guys to work out. I like you, but I’m only here for another couple of weeks anyway. We should quit while we’re ahead.’
I stared down at her, disheartened at the turn the evening had taken. I hadn’t picked her up earlier that evening with any expectations, but still, subconsciously I’d expected more than this.
‘I like you too,’ I told her. ‘More than I should, for someone I really haven’t known all that long. I can’t say I understand it, but I don’t have any reason to question it either. I’m a big believer in trusting my gut, and my gut is telling me you’re someone special. I can’t seem to stop thinking about you.’
She was torn. I could see it on her face, in the way her eyes flickered with uncertainty, and her lips trembled, almost imperceptible unless you were watching her as intently as I was.
‘Jack?’ Fiona interrupted. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but what do you want me to do with Hannah’s meal?’
‘You should take it up to her,’ Taylor encouraged. ‘Check in on your friend.’ She put a hand on my chest before withdrawing it quickly, as if it had been burned. ‘It’s fine, honestly.’
Then she turned and walked away from me. I watched her weave her way through the crowd to where Dion was waiting for her. He grinned as she approached, looking like a man whose Christmases had all come at once, and pushed off the bar, holding his arm out for her to crook her hand through. She did, and I felt jealousy swell in my stomach.
25
TAYLOR
From my vantage point on the cabin porch, I watched him climb the steps, trying to judge his mood by his demeanor. Was he angry? Upset? Relieved? It was hard to tell.
‘How was Hannah?’ I asked when he reached the top.
He clutched a hand to his chest. ‘Jesus, Taylor. What is it with you and waiting for me in the dark?’
‘The first time, I wasn’t waiting for you. I was having a swim and minding my own business.’
‘And tonight?’
‘Tonight, I was waiting for you,’ I conceded.
‘Why?’
‘I’m not sure,’ I admitted.
He walked over and sat down on the other dark green cape cod chair next to mine, stretched his long legs out in front of him.
‘Where’s Dion?’ he asked, fighting, and failing, to keep the tinge of jealousy out of his voice.
‘At his sister’s, I’m assuming. That’s where he was heading after he dropped me off.’
He cleared his throat. ‘That’s all he did? Drop you off?’
‘If you’re asking whether he tried to kiss me, the answer is no. He did not. He was a perfect gentleman.’
‘Oh.’ His relief was evident.
‘But for the record, if hehadtried, I’d have said no.’
‘I wouldn’t blame you if you fancied him. Half the single women in Pine Harbor seem to.’
‘I can see why. He’s pretty hot. Got that sexy lumberjack look going on.’
