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As more than a friend.
But I can’t go there. I can’tletmyself go there.
“Are you sure?” she asks, giving me a skeptical look.
“Yes,” I lie again, heading into the kitchen.
“Because for what it’s worth, I think he really cares about you. It was obvious the other night.”
“It was just friendly concern.”
“Ah, I see,” she says with a laugh.
“What?”
“You’re in denial.”
“I’m not,” I sigh. “I know he cares. I just don’t want to read into what’s not there. Tyler and I are compatible in many ways, but we agreed to just fun. That’s it. I don’t expect anything more from him, and he doesn’t expect anything more from me.”
“Are you sure about that?”No, I think to myself. “Because you two seem to have that certainthing. You know, that indescribable thing that connects two people. It doesn’t happen often, and it’s usually blatantly obvious to everyone around them, with the two people it’s happening to being the last to know.”
“I think you need to stop watching so many Hallmark movies.”
“Deny it all you want, Ellie, but when it hits you – what’s really going on with you and Ty – don’t be surprised.”
“So, what are we making today? Whoopie pies, right?” I ask, needing to change the subject.
Sighing, she ties her apron around her waist and rolls her eyes, not liking my dismissal. “Yeah, today is whoopie pie day. It’s a Maine specialty, and one of our most popular items with tourists.”
“Okay, let’s get to work then.” And as it always does, baking balances me out and calms me. The kitchen is my happy place when nothing else seems to be going right, or I need to center myself again. It brings me back to what I know and who I am.
Tyler has me all knotted up, and I need to smooth myself back out.
I came here to get away from the disaster my ex turned out to be and the mess he left my life in, and yet here I am, messed up because of a man. Again.
I thought I could handle a fling and keep feelings out of sex, but I guess I’m just another girl who gets attached to the man she’s sleeping with.
Although I could argue that it’s hardly my fault. Tyler has been the perfect distraction since coming here.
He’s sweet, considerate, funny, charming, easy-going, a good cook, handy, saves lives for a living,andhe’s sexy as hell.
All of those things together make him a rare specimen, and someone I should never have made a deal with.
Why?
Because he’s the kind of man I could so easily fall in love with if I let myself.
Which I can’t.
I need to take a step back. I need perspective.
“Should I go on a date?” I blurt out.
“What?” Courtney looks utterly confused. “Haven’t you and Tyler already gone on a date?”
“No. I mean, yes, I guess. But I wasn’t talking about Tyler.”
“Then who are you talking about?”
