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“All right.”
Relief filled Jameson’s face. “Thank you. I know I upset you and I still haven’t given you a treat for being so brave.” He started walking, his hand briefly touching the small of her back as he guided her.
Monkeyballs.
His touch always made her feel a tad light-headed and hot. She glanced up at him, wondering if he knew how he affected her. He was so damned gorgeous that sometimes it hurt to even look at him.
“Where are we going?” she asked as Ian trailed them. He was far enough back that she knew he likely couldn’t hear them.
“To the gift store.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Sweetheart, about what I said?—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted him. “I know I need to think about this stuff, but it’s really hard.”
“Well, I’m sorry about upsetting you just now.”
“It’s all right, you’re forgiven.”
Jameson knewhe could just leave that where it was. But he felt like he owed her more.
“I have a bad habit,” he confessed.
“What is it?”
“When something makes me uncomfortable, I don’t always react well.”
“Because you like to be in control. And it’s hard for you when things are out of your control.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
She shrugged. “Not usually. But with you . . . I like to watch you. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I, uh, like the way you watch me.”
She studied him for a long moment. Then she broke into a smile filled with sunshine.
And Lord help him, he’d love to bask in that sunshine. To let it melt the coldness inside him.
Then she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him. Holding on tight.
“You’re forgiven, Doc,” she whispered. “I know you have a good heart. And it’s not like the things you said aren’t true. It’s just . . . it’s hard, you know? Sometimes I feel all alone and like I’m failing at everything. It’s tough to be strong.”
God, this Little subbie.
Did she have any idea what she was doing to his heart?
They stopped in front of the gift store and she sucked in a breath. “They have one of those stores where you can create your own stuffed toy?”
“Yep. We’ve found that it’s a good way to cheer our patients up.”
“That is so cool! And look at all the outfits.” She clapped her hands together before she realized what she was doing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so enthusiastic.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “Would you like to make one?”
“Me?” She gaped up at him. She would love to make one. She’d always wanted to. But she couldn’t afford it. “Oh, thank you for bringing me here but I couldn’t.”
