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“Ican’t keep doing this,” I told Nate Davis, furious with myself because I’d let myself care so damn much about their mysterious disappearances. “I don’t understand why you can’t just tell me why you guys keep disappearing. I thought we were friends. I thought I was friends with Brock, Gage, and Seth, too.”

The store I managed was quiet today, and there were no other customers here.

Nate had been my first customer, and I’d immediately brought up the most recent vanishing.

I’d agonized over their safety when they’d disappeared for two days.

Those disappearances weren’t unusual, but they were becoming harder and harder to bear.

I’d let myself get in way too deep with my male friends, and this last time they’d vanished without a word had nearly killed me.

Dammit!

I cared about these men far too much, and Nate in particular.

They were like the brothers I’d never had.

Well…except for Nate.

The way I felt about him was more carnal than brotherly.

It had been that way with him since the beginning.

If my circumstances were different, I would have jumped at the chance to go out with him when he’d asked me out on a date.

But my life was far from normal and I’d had to refuse.

I’d probably never forget the disappointed look on his face and I’d hated myself for hurting him.

Since then, I’d reminded myself that being hurt was better than being in danger.

Being close to me was dangerous, and I cared way to much about Nate to risk it.

I’d lived in Cherry Cove for three years now, and I still didn’t feel safe.

I’d probably never feel comfortable enough to be in a relationship with anyone.

I met Nate’s gaze, and he moved a little closer.

God, he looked good.

He was dressed for the winter weather in a heavy jacket, but that jacket was open and the Henley he was wearing was stretched over his muscular chest.

Nate folded his powerful arms over his chest as he said, “You want to share secrets, Sara? Maybe I’d be willing to tell you more of mine if you tell me some of yours first.”

“You know I can’t,” I answered. “We’ve been through this before.”

Honestly, I understood that my friends were curious about my background.

I’d just moved to Cherry Cove one day and never talked about why I’d come here or where I’d come from.

Thankfully, Brock, Gage, and Seth had stopped asking and just accepted that I didn’t want to talk about it.

Nate…had not.

He was way too observant, and the two of us spent a lot of time together.

Nate lifted a brow. “Can’t or won’t?”