“But?”
“But when I hugged him this morning when I was still high on the thrill of getting the museum job call, he couldn’t get away from me fast enough. He literally ran out of the room as soon as my back was turned.”
“He doesn’t know you’re interested in him. From everything you’ve said, he’ll be the perfect gentleman if it kills him. He’s in to you. Even Anthony commented on the sparks between you two.”
“He promised several times that I’d never have to worry about him coming on to me,” I said slowly. “That I’ll always be safe with him.”
I frowned as the deeper implication of his words hit. When he made that promise, I was dealing with Beau’s anger and the creepy potential roommate. Jake would never take advantage of anyone, so I didn’t examine his words deeper.
“You have to make the first move,” Vanessa said. “If you wait for him to express interest, you’re gonna be gray and cobwebby.”
“You’re right,” I said slowly. “I have to show him I’m interested.”
“That’s not enough. He’s convinced you’re not into him, so the usual signals won’t work. You have to be direct.”
I gulped. If I wanted to take a chance at something real, I had to put my heart on the line.
“Are you still there?” Vanessa asked.
“Yeah, thinking.”
“I’ve got some ideas about how to make it happen. You don’t want to end up like Rosa and Sam.”
I laughed. Vanessa was obsessed with the legend of Rosa Delgado and her ill-fated love with Sam Thornfield. Everyone in Sierra Rose Ridge knew the tragic story of the Mexican beauty who’d captured the heart of the engineer in charge of the town’s silver mining operation.
“This is nothing like the legend of Rosa and Sam,” I protested. “My dad would never try to marry me off to some rich asshole, especially if I was already in love.”
“I know, but Beau is interfering with true love by keeping you away from your heart’s desire for his own selfish goals. The Dani I met when you first came back to town would never let some guy intimidate her. If that Dani was in to someone, she’d march up to him and stick her tongue down his throat.”
I snickered at the image she painted.
“Speaking of Beau.”
She groaned. “What now?”
“He messaged me tonight.”
She was outraged.
“I thought you blocked him.”
“I did. It was a private number. He wants to meet me.”
“Don’t do it. That guy is nothing but trouble.”
“He probably got the summons today.”
“Then tell him to talk to your lawyer or show up in court.”
“Shayla said he’d try to settle out of court.”
“Let him talk to her then.”
“You’re right.”
“Of course, I am. He’s like Wade in the legend, ruining everything for his own selfishness.”
“Let’s hope not since Wade killed Sam, which drove Rosa to throw herself off the Ridge during Sam’s funeral rather than marry his murderer.”
