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“Is that what you think of me?”
“I guess you did what you had to. Now I’m doing the same.”
She pulled her legs tight against the rocker. “It’s hardly surprising that I have a few minor trust issues.”
“You have trust issues. Artistic issues. Fake-toughness issues. Then there are the fashion issues.” His lip curled. “No, wait, that’s part of the fake-toughness thing.”
“I was getting ready to turn around when Chief Wesley pulled me over!” she exclaimed.
“Sure you were.”
“It’s true.” It hadn’t occurred to her that he might not believe her. “You’re right. What you said in the alley.” She drew a deep breath. “I do love you.”
“Uh-huh.” Ice cubes clinked as he drained his glass.
“I do. Really.”
“Then why do you sound like you’re getting ready to puke?”
“I’m still sort of getting used to the idea.” She loved Dean Robillard, and she knew she had to take this one terrifying leap. “I’ve—I’ve had a lot of time to think lately, and…” Her mouth was so dry she had to push out the words. “I’ll go to Chicago with you. We’ll live together for a while. See how things work out.”
Stony silence followed. She started to get nervous.
“That deal is no longer on the table,” he said quietly.
“It’s only been four days!”
“You’re not the only one who’s had time to think.”
“I knew this would happen! It’s exactly what I said all along.” She came to her feet. “I haven’t been anything more to you than a novelty.”
“You’ve just proven my point. Exactly why I don’t trust you.”
She wanted to take a swing at him. “How could you not trust me? I’m the most trustworthy person in the world! Just ask my friends.”
“The friends you only talk to on the phone because you never stay in the same city with them for more than a few months?”
“I just said I’d go to Chicago with you, didn’t I?”
“You’re not the only one who needs security. I waited a long time to fall in love. Why it had to be with you, I don’t know. God’s big joke, I guess. But I’ll tell you this. I’m not waking up every morning wondering if you’re still around.”
She felt sick. “Then what?”
He regarded her stubbornly. “You tell me.”
“I already did. We start with Chicago.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He practically sneered at her. “You thrive in new places. It’s growing roots that gives you trouble.”
He’d nailed her.
He rose. “Let’s say we went to Chicago. I introduce you to my friends. We have a great time. We laugh. We argue. We make love. One month goes by. Another. And then…” He shrugged.
“And then you wake up one morning, and I’m gone.”
“I’m away a lot during the season. Imagine how that’ll wear on you. And the women. They throw themselves at anyone with a uniform. What are you going to do when you find lipstick on my shirt collar?”
“As long as it’s not on your End Zone briefs, I think I can handle it.”
