“Gives me the heebie-jeebies,” I admit, joining her next to the booth. “Where’s Luc?”
“He wanted to see if the Krazy Krewe ride is still standing. He said it was his mom’s favorite. We’re supposed to meet him back at the truck once we’re finished exploring.”
Damn. That’s not how this was supposed to go. We weren’t supposed to split up, and Maggiedefinitelywasn’t supposed to be left alone with me.
When I take a step away, determined that we should go find Luc, she stops me. “Cash? Wait, I want to…” She trails off and tries again. “Can I ask you something?”
There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach. “You can ask me anything, but I don’t promise to answer.”
She twists her lips and looks at me like I’m the most annoying person who was ever born of a woman.
“What?” I shrug. “Toldyou a man needs his secrets.”
“I’m not talking about the stupid scar on your eyebrow. I’m talking aboutyouand…” She swallows. “And me. I’m talking aboutus.”
Now that sinking feeling has become a vortex, sucking all the blood from my face.
“What do you want from me now that you’re back?” she asks, looking so damned earnest.
Want from her? I don’t want anythingfromher. I want the worldforher.
“Nothing,” I say and nearly slap myself when her expression falls. “No. I don’t mean that like you’re thinking.”
“Then howdoyou mean it?” Her eyes are filled with such sweet entreaty.
With all my heart, I want to pull her close and love her. I want to be her everything like she’smyeverything. But that’s not part ofThe Plan.
Taking a step back, I give her the only truth I can. “I’m trying to do what’s right here, Maggie. For the first time in my life, I’m trying my damnedest to be the good guy.”
