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“You care?” His brows knit together in suspicion. “Really? Is that why you never come home?”
“I’m busy,” I hiss. “I have a career.”
And who does he think he is to judge me?
“Right.” He nods. “I forgot. You’re a big, important doctor.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Where did that come from?
“If you want me off the project,” I say, “just tell me.”
Unexpectedly, his face softens. Like he regrets what he just said. “I don’t want you off the project, Erin.”
Hearing him say my name again sends a delicious shiver through me.
I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks as his hand brushes against my arm. I try to ignore the sensation, but it’s like my body is betraying me. The chemistry between us is undeniable.
Correction: the chemistry that I’m feeling is undeniable. Josh hasn’t indicated that he’s interested in me in the slightest, which makes this tortured crush all the more pathetic.
“Good,” I say, taking a step back. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something else, but then he just closes it. His jaw flexing, he nods.
I walk swiftly out the door and into the parking lot, where I let out a long exhale. What am I doing here?
Maybe I should go volunteer at the animal shelter or something. Or see if my mom needs any help at her practice.
No. Not that last one. Getting involved with her practice is the last thing that I want. I can see her going bananas now, gushing about how I got my doctor gene from her.
At my car, I jump behind the driver’s seat and take off, resisting the urge to look in the rearview mirror for Josh.
My joining this project isn’t about him, and he’s nothing more than a distraction. In a few weeks, I’ll be leaving Fort Williams behind and heading back to San Antonio. Heading back to my real life.
And then, once again, the boy with sky-blue eyes and a cocky attitude will be nothing more than a distant memory.
CHAPTER 12
JOSH
Ilook around the group gathered outside of the community center, doing a quick head count. A few people are missing, but that’s to be expected. They probably realized that this whole effort will be more arduous than they wanted.
What is a surprise is that Erin isn’t here.
Did I scare her away last night?
I look at the clipboard in my hands, feeling guilty. I didn’t mean to push her away.
She doesn’t make it easy to be friendly, though. What am I supposed to do, just stand there and let her use me as a punching bag?
“Hey.” Sam elbows me and nods across the street. It’s Erin, walking toward us.
Heat rises in my core. She’s dressed casually, in shorts and a T-shirt, but somehow she’s still the sexiest woman in the world.
“Hey, Erin.” Sam nods at her.
She smiles at him. “Good morning.” Her gaze shifts over to me, and I nod at her.
Clearing my throat, I start passing out the clipboards, petitions, and pens. I was up half the night working on the petitions, but to my surprise I actually liked doing it. It was nice to get something done that doesn’t have a single thing to do with the ranch.
