“So…” he draws out, “what were you thinking about, then?”
There’s no way I’m telling him how good he smells. If my memory serves me correctly, his ego won’t fit in the room if I do.
When I don’t say anything, his head cocks to the side and asks, “So, about that dinner… You interested?”
“What makes you so sure I’m free? I could have plans.”
Heat fills his hazel eyes, and my belly lights on fire with his sudden intense stare.
“You wouldn’t have been looking at me like that if you had someone special in your life.”
Well, shit, he’s got me there.
After thirty years, how can this man still have this effect on me?
The breath Faye holds as she stares into my eyes nearly guts me.
It’s like she’s taken all the air from the room, and I can no longer breathe.
But I just hold her gaze and wait for confirmation.
I’m hardly wrong when it comes to reading people—Hell, I’m not even sure why I said it, but the words were out before I could think better of it.
I’ve spent every spare moment of the last three days thinking about this woman, and I need to know if it’s all in my head, or if she’s feeling whatever this is, too.
“I… Uh…” She fidgets, then looks anywhere but at me.
When she shifts her weight back and forth from foot to foot, guilt crashes in. Beating around the bush costs lives, and I’ve gotten in the habit of never mincing words.
That may be a great tactic while on missions, but as I watch her cheeks darken, I’m thinking I might’ve been a bit too direct.
However, it feels as if a lot is riding on her answer, and honestly, for some reason beyond me, I need to know where she stands.
Hesitantly, I step forward and let her off the hook. “Look, Faye, if there is someone special in your life, I’d never get in the way.”
Squaring her shoulders, she finally meets my gaze. “No… I don’t suppose you would.”
Now, it’s my turn to be caught off guard.
“What does that mean?”
Reaching out, she takes my hand and squeezes it gently. “That’s just not who you are.”
Damn straight. There’s no way in hell I’d step in on someone else’s girl. Even if she’s the only one I’ve been able to think about since seeing her again.
I may not like it, but I’d never interfere.
“So… does that mean you do have someone special?”
Faye gasps, and her eyes widen like saucers. “Oh, hell… I’m really messing this up.” Shaking her head profusely, she quickly adds, “No… There’s no one else.”
Relief floods through me, and I jerk her into another hug. “Good, because it’s been way too long since we’ve caught up.”
With her body pressed firmly against mine, I find myself finally relaxing into her.
I swear we’re so close, she feels my stomach rumble before it makes a sound, and a beautiful giggle fills the room. “You really do need food, don’t you? Let’s go before you famish in my foyer. Pop’s is one of my favorites.”
Running a hand down my face, I admit, “Yeah, it’s been a minute since I’ve eaten.” I was so hell-bent on getting back to Seaside, it never crossed my mind. But the way her smile lights up her face in amusement makes my hurry worth it, even if it is at my expense.
