Page 46 of Chasing the Dream

“Putting you on the spot. It’s not your job to entertain me while I’m here. You’ve already done enough by hiring me.”

“You know Maria. She just wants you to be happy. Are you? Happy here?” Suddenly her answer was vitally important to him.

She twisted the bottle around in her hands, drawing his attention to them. He noticed that her fingernails were neatly trimmed and she wore clear polish on them. Practical yet pretty, just like her. This was a woman who didn’t flaunt her beauty. In fact, he wondered if she even saw herself as beautiful. Somehow he doubted it.

“I like it here more than I thought I would.”

“What do you like about it, specifically?”

“Besides the weather, you mean?”

“You haven’t experienced summer yet.” And she probably wouldn’t unless she decided to extend her stay.

“I like that Scottsdale offers a little bit of everything. It’s a nice mix of the old and the new, and it has all the amenities of a city without being overcrowded.”

“Well put. It’s quite a bit different from Flagstaff.” With all that had been happening at work, the week was flying by, and soon they’d be there—together.

“I liked it there too.”

“That’s right. You came to visit Maria a few times, didn’t you?”

“Um-hmm, but back then, you were too busy to give me the time of day.”

He cringed. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. Why would you want to hang around with your sister and her friend, anyway?”

“I’m doing it now.”

“That’s only because we work together.”

He wanted to correct her, but he held back. “I’d like to think it’s because I’m less selfish and more mature now.”

“Maybe a little,” she teased.

“I’m sure my parents are anxious to see you. You’re like part of the family.” He needed the reminder even if she didn’t. It would help keep him honest while they were there.

“Yours is a great family to be a part of.”

He nodded and swallowed the rest of his beer. Then he stood up, deciding he’d lingered long enough.

“I would invite you to stay for dinner, but I’ll probably end up eating cereal and toast.”

He waved her off. “No problem. But if you want me to pick something up and bring it back, I will.”

“No thanks, and don’t worry. I’ll tell Maria that you offered to have dinner with me but I declined.”

He swiped his hand across his forehead like he was wiping sweat off his brow. “Whew! Thanks for saving me.”

He walked to the door, and when he stopped in the kitchen to set down his beer bottle, he realized that Morgan was right behind him. “You don’t have to walk me out,” he said, although he secretly liked the idea.

“Let me guess. In your world, men walk women to the door, but not vice versa.” Her tone was teasing, and her eyes were smiling, so he decided to tease back.

“Not unless you plan on kissing me goodbye.”

She froze, and he could have kicked himself for saying what he’d been thinking. Her blue eyes studied him, and she started to speak, but he cut her off. “No need to panic. I was only kidding.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Gabe.”