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Deacon turned to her. “I wanted to talk to you, too. I have another screenplay and I’d like to get your thoughts on it.”
“It can wait—”
“No, it can’t. If I don’t get the rights to it, someone else will. I know it.”
“But what I have to say—”
“Can wait.” He saw the frustration reflected in her eyes. He owed her more than a quick brush-off. He swallowed hard. “I wasn’t expecting last night. It wasn’t something I planned.”
“Me neither.”
That was good to hear. It meant she had to be as confused as him. “Then you’ll understand when I say I need time to process this. My life—it’s not the best time to start anything serious.”
Disappointment dimmed her eyes. “I understand. But I feel I owe you the truth about something.”
Revealing secrets and truths were things people did when they were establishing a relationship. When they were building a foundation. He didn’t intend to do any of those things with Gabrielle. Because when that police report was released—when he was sure his whole world would come crashing down—he didn’t want Gabrielle hurt any more than she already would be.
Whatever she’d done or thought she’d done, it wouldn’t compare to his transgressions.
“Now isn’t the time for sharing.” He averted his gaze. “We can talk another time.”
“But—”
“Please.” She didn’t know how hard she was making this for him.
Because in a different place, at a different time, under different circumstances, he would have welcomed her into his life with both arms. Turning her away was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
As he watched her walk away, he felt the distance grow between them. It was like the sun had been eclipsed from his life. And as much as he wanted to go after her—to pull her into his arms—his feet remained rooted to the floor.
He clung to the fact that she was better off without him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
IT WAS ALL coming together.
Beneath the blue skies, Gaby stood to the side of the golf course and gazed out over the estate grounds. Deacon’s grounds crew were miracle workers. Of course, it helped that they’d enjoyed months of paid leave and were now anxious to get back to work. Gaby couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have all that free time. Right now, she didn’t have enough hours in the day to do everything that needed done.
And ever since they’d made love, Deacon had held her at arm’s length. She didn’t understand it. Had she done something wrong? Had he not enjoyed it? Whatever it was, he wasn’t talking and she was left with nothing but doubts and worries. Thankfully the fund-raiser was only a couple of days away and there were so many last-minute details to attend to that she didn’t have time to get lost in her thoughts.
Every last ticket for the event had been sold. Now if only they’d all show up. The food had been ordered. The catering service had been reserved. The rose garden was already in order. Deacon had seen to that. But there was something she was forgetting. She just couldn’t put her finger on it.
“You wanted to see me?” Deacon’s voice came from behind her.
“I did.” She tried to hide her surprise at him actually seeking her out instead of calling her on the phone. “What do you think?”
“About what?”
She subdued a sigh. What was wrong with him? “Look around. The grounds are done. The men have been working on it every day from dawn until dusk.”
Deacon remained quiet as he took in his surroundings. His expression was masked behind a look of indifference. How could that be? Didn’t he notice what a mess the estate had been? Even she had been out here every day going over the details to make this place spectacular.
“It looks good.” He still didn’t smile.
“Good? That’s it. This place is amazing. Anyone would be amazed by the transformation.” There was something more to this. Something that he wasn’t telling her. “Deacon, we need to talk about the other night—”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
She was tired of being patient—of thinking he just needed time to adjust to the change in their relationship. “I don’t believe you.”
