"I told you, it's nothing?—"
"Ike."
The way she says my name—patient and steady and utterly certain that I'm full of shit—makes my resistance crumble.
I sigh and turn off the burner. The pancakes are a lost cause anyway.
"Wade texted," I say. "Asked if I wanted to go fishing today."
"That sounds nice."
"I told him I couldn't because I had plans." I can't look at her. "He asked what plans, and I said I was working on my truck."
She nods. "So you lied."
"Yeah."
"Why?" It's not accusatory. It’s like she really wants to understand.
I run a hand through my hair, frustration and guilt tangling in my chest. "I don't know. I panicked."
"What were you panicking about?"
The question hangs there as she waits, sipping her coffee, giving me space to find the words.
"What people will think," I finally admit. "About us."
Her expression doesn't change. "Okay."
"I'm forty-six years old, Sloane. You're twenty-three. This town..." I shake my head. "People talk. They're going to…gossip."
She presses her lips together. "I know."
"And I'm the fire captain. I'm supposed to be respectable, responsible…boring."
A small smile tugs at her lips. "You're all of those things. But you're also a hell of a lot more."
Something unravels inside at that. But the anxiety is still there, coiled tight.
"I just—" I break off, not sure how to explain the weight of so many years of careful reputation management, the fear of judgment, the bone-deep habit of keeping everyone at arm's length.
Sloane sets down her coffee and moves closer. She looks up at me with steady, honest eyes.
"If it would make you more comfortable," she says softly, "we don't have to tell anyone right away."
I swallow hesitantly.
"We can keep this private for a while," she continues. "Take our time. Let you get used to the idea before the whole town knows."
She shrugs, and I can see it costs her something—this offer, this willingness to hide. "I don't want to cause you extra stress, Ike. I'd rather have you secretly than not have you at all."
I stare at her.
This woman…this incredible, generous, brave woman who sent me anonymous valentines because she saw the real me and wanted to take a chance on love…who gave me her trust, her submission, and her body last night.Andwoke up in my arms this morning…is now offering to disappear into the shadows to protectme.
She deserves so much better than that.
Ineed to be better than that.
