“Who says I’ve been avoiding you?”
“You think I haven’t picked up on the change in the way you act around me and Greyson? I’ve noticed and I don’t like it.” She closed her eyes. “Actually, I hate it.”
His eyes darkened as he studied her. “What are you saying, Morgan?”
“That you were right.” Lord, was she really doing this? Really admitting to him that she didn’t like how long it had been since they’d seen each other, that she didn’t like the distance she’d felt between them at the fire hall’s open house? “Going too long in between seeing you is bad for me. I’ve missed you.”
His jaw tightened and he swallowed. “I should go.”
Morgan’s heart squeezed. “Because you don’t want a serious relationship?”
“Is that what you want, Morgan?”
She knew she should tell him no. He was backing away from her, so why expose herself to rejection?
Everyone’s always told you that he runs when a woman gets too attached, and you’re acting like you’re covered in Velcro.
“Yes,” she admitted, unable to lie about how she was feeling. “Is there somewhere we can go to talk?”
He closed his eyes for a second, then shrugged. “I planned to head by the station after I left here. You can walk with me to my truck.”
“No motorcycle today?” she asked, following him out of the cafeteria.
“Nah. Too cold. Fortunately, my truck has been running like a charm since I replaced the alternator a few weeks ago.”
“That’s good.” Ugh. They were back to small talk. Was that his way of telling her not to press her luck?
They paused in the lobby. A large Christmas tree was to the inside of the doorway and an empty reception desk was opposite it. No doubt the receptionist was still at the presentation.
As uncomfortable as the thought made her, Morgan took a deep breath and lifted her gaze to his. “You once told me going too long in between seeing you was hazardous to my health. Based on the way my pulse went crazy when I saw you today, I think you were right. So when can I see you again?”
Andrew’s insides shook. He’d always known Morgan wasn’t immune to him. That truth had been in her eyes from the moment they’d met at the school. There had been some innate recognition between them that transcended logic. He’d felt it, had wanted to ask her out right away, but then believed he couldn’t be more than friends with her once he’d realized Greyson was her son. If he’d been thinking straight then he never would have pursued a friendship with her, but he hadn’t seemed able to stay away.
“You know I’m not a serious relationship kind of guy,” he reminded her.
Morgan paled a little, then she nodded. “That is one of the first things I was told about you.”
“It’s true,” he confirmed. He’d never wanted a serious relationship and now, more than ever, that was out of the question.
“I didn’t think I’d ever want to date again, and especially not someone with a dangerous occupation and pastimes.” Looking nervous, she inhaled sharply. “So, the fact that I can’t stop thinking about you makes me think you’re the exception.”
Andrew gulped.
Her eyes were big and full of hope as she said, “Maybe Greyson and I are worth you making an exception, too.”
Oh, Morgan. Her words had him twisted into knots, making him want to leap for joy all the while knowing what she was saying would only further torment him. Because he was about to hurt her even though he’d never wanted to do that.
“If ever I was going to make an exception, it would be for you and Greyson.”
But he couldn’t do that to them. He wouldn’t.
“There’s something I should tell you,” he began, knowing that when he told her of what his future held, it would all be over. “I’m leaving Pine Hill.”
“What?” Confusion furrowed her brows. “Why would you do that?”
“I’m heading to California to train at a wildland fire fighting base. I leave the second week of January. My plan is to stay out west permanently, working full time at one of the base camps.”
“Wildland fire fighting?” she asked, not sounding as if she fully understood what that meant.
