He grimaced. “Not really. There’s no animal control officer on the island. I’m just dealing with a problem.”
Right. Guys did not appreciate being callednice. Nice guys did not get the girl. Nice guys finished last.
And maybe he really saw his actions that way. Maybe he was so used to doing the right thing that it wasn’t a big deal to him. But she didn’t know a lot of guys who would put themselves out like that, who would choose the right thing, the compassionate thing, over whatever was convenient.
He was kind of amazing, actually.
“Uh-huh. Just doing your job,” she teased.
His eyes narrowed. “Where are you going with this?”
She wasn’t sure. She’d been so glad to see him when he walked into the bakery. She was so grateful she didn’t have to be alone. But this wasn’t all about her. Or it shouldn’t be. She didn’t want to burden him with obligations. With expectations.
She took a breath. Released it. “I’m just wondering if you brought me home out of a sense of duty or because you felt sorry for me.”
“Jesus.”
“I don’t mind,” she assured him hastily. She’d had no objection to being his rebound relationship. Why not his pity fuck?
Meg’s voice played in her head.As long as you know going in that that’s what it is.
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I asked you to dinner,” he said very deliberately, “because you shouldn’t be alone.”
“It’s okay. I get it.”
He shot her a hot, dark look. “No, you don’t. You shouldn’t be alone. And I want your company.”
That was nice of him to say.
“I want your company, too. Thank you for inviting me.” She smiled crookedly. “Us.”
“Lauren.” His voice rubbed over her, making all the little hairs on the back of her neck stand up in warning or pleasure.
“What?”
“You’re not some stray I’m bringing home for the night.”
She made herself smile. “As long as you’re not dropping me off at the shelter tomorrow to get spayed.”
Unexpectedly, his hand left the wheel and covered both of hers, pleated together in her lap. Such a simple, human touch, warm and reassuring. His kindness made tears burn at the back of her eyes.
“Stop worrying,” he said.
“Okay,” she said promptly.
And worried for the rest of the drive.
***
THE GNARLED OAKSand stubbly lawns had given way to dense vegetation, thickets of dark shrubs that followed the shape of the sandhills on either side of the road. A bat cut across the sky, a fluttering triangle against the fading light. Ahead, a heavy metal chain blocked their way. A sign dug into the soft sand read,CONSTRUCTIONONLY.DONOTENTER.
Jack got out of the vehicle.
She should have offered to do that for him, Lauren realized as he unlocked the chain, drove forward, and then fastened it behind them again.
“I guess you don’t worry about trespassing,” she said as he slid back behind the wheel.
His teeth showed briefly in a smile. “I live here. Sam Grady—that’s Meg’s fiancé, old Grady’s son—is developing this whole area. Having a cop around discourages theft from the construction site.”
