His expression changed, a sign flipping from Open to Closed.
“I really like you as a person. You have so much to offer a woman in a romantic relationship.”
He pulled his hand away. “Just not you?”
She winced. Cleared her throat. “I feel like we’re at the point in our relationship where, if it’s working, the feelings progress to the next level... but that just isn’t happening for me.”
He smirked. “Yeah. Ever since Gray Briggs came back to town.”
She shook her head. “It’s not Gray.” At least not in the way he meant. “He’s not even an option I’d consider—for multiple reasons. I’d really hoped something would come of this, Logan. You’re such a great guy and you have so much going for—”
“Don’t patronize me, Shelby. I don’t need you building me up. I know who I am and what I have to offer. Don’t worry, I won’t go home and weep into my pillow.”
The sharpness of his tone gave away his true feelings. He was hurt and putting up a front. No one liked getting broken up with.
“I’m not. All those things are true. I had hoped my feelings might develop into more and they just—”
“It’s hard to develop feelings for someone you’re holding at arm’s length.”
What?“I don’t hold you at arm’s length.”
He gave a wry laugh. “You’re kidding, right? You have a ten-foot wall around your heart.”
Shelby blinked. That wasn’t true. What did she have to protect herself from? He was just being defensive. Although he did seem pretty adamant. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”
“I guess it’s beside the point now.” He tossed his napkin on his plate.
She was glad they’d met at the restaurant. A tense ride home would be excruciating for both of them. “I’m sorry, Logan. I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”
He removed his wallet and fished out some bills.
She grabbed her purse. “I’ve got it.”
He spared her a look as he set the bills on the table. “Say what you want, but I’m not stupid. This has everything to do with Gray.”
“Give me some credit. Gray already left me once, and he’ll be leaving again in a month. I wouldn’t let myself get wrapped up with him again.”
He pocketed his wallet. “Well, I guess we’ll see if he can scale those high walls of yours, won’t we?” He stood.
“Logan, please. Don’t leave angry. Can’t we talk a little more?”
“I don’t see the point.” He offered a mirthless smile. “See you around, Shelby.”
Chapter 32
“Happy reading, Miss Clementine!” Shelby called as the seventysomething widow limped down the stairs with a bagful of thriller and suspense novels.
“See you next month.”
The retired schoolteacher had arthritis that nearly debilitated her, and she passed the time by reading. Shelby wished the woman would let her assist her with the stairs, but she was stubborn and independent.
A minute later the bell tinkled at her exit and Shelby approached her bookseller.
Janet (contemporary romance) was arranging books on the Christmas Fiction table. She was in her fifties and had let her beautiful hair go gray. Her face was so youthful she hardly looked old enough for gray hair—or the readers perched on her head. “I told Miss Clementine about the to-go cart since it’s so hard for her to get around these days.”
“She likes to browse in person even though walking is painful.”
“Can’t blame her. The sight of new book covers, the smell of books... It’s hard to beat the in-person experience.”
