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“What’s the point?” His eyes had that dark and dangerous quality to them. The one she’d first seen at the airport. Now she knew the look had been related to flying for the first time since his friends’ death.
This was her fault, she reminded herself. Her fear had done this. Easily her fear could have her turning, leaving, and never risking his further rejection.
But fear couldn’t win this time. She wouldn’t let it.
“If we go talk,” she said as calmly as she could, “I’ll explain what my point is.”
He looked ready to refuse, then shrugged. “Fine. Let’s go.”
* * *
Natalie’s hands shook as she unlocked her car doors, as she climbed inside, Matthew getting in on the passenger side.
Without a word she started the car, took off down the road, not sure where she was going until she pulled into his driveway.
He hadn’t said a word during the drive and didn’t speak as he climbed out of the car and went to open his front door.
Natalie followed. Closing the door behind her, she went into his living room. He stood at the window, staring out.
“What did Dr. Luiz say to you?”
He didn’t turn toward her, just continued to look out the window. “That you’d been offered a job out of state and had turned in your notice.”
“He didn’t tell me he was going to tell you.”
“You should have told me.” His tone dripped with accusation.
“I was going to, but I needed to tell Dr. Luiz first.”
At that Matthew turned, met her gaze with hurt blue ones. “Seriously? You needed to tell him first?”
“For whatever it’s worth, I didn’t put in for another job. The university contacted me.”
“It was only a matter of time before you left.” He turned back to the window. “He also told me to fix whatever was between us and convince you to stay.”
“Well, you’re doing a bang-up job,” she said sarcastically.
His gaze narrowed. “You want me to grovel?”
“No.” She didn’t. She wanted... “I want you to love me.”
“So you can break my heart? No, thanks.”
“I don’t want to break your heart, Matthew. I want to claim it as my own.”
“Right. You suddenly realize you can’t live without me but have agreed to move to another state.” He gave a sarcastic laugh. “You expect me to rip Carrie up and go with you? Is that it?”
No, she didn’t expect that, didn’t want that, but heard herself asking, “Would you go with me if I asked?”
His expression was gaunt. “Are you asking?”
Natalie’s heart pounded in her chest. “I am.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “Moving away from Memphis would throw my life, Carrie’s life, into complete chaos. You know that?”
She nodded. She knew exactly what she was asking, what the implications of whatever answer he gave were.
Regarding her, his expression unreadable, he crossed his arms. “Tell me why I should agree to go.”
