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"Wow, this is pretty," she breathed. “I’ve never been on this side before.”
Nearby a cluster of old stones sat. Perfect for sitting on and... thinking.
"Clint's place is right over there, and my dad's camp is way across there, in a small inlet." He pointed toward the opposite shore, where a pier jutted out onto the lake. "Clint and I found this spot when we were kids. Back then they had a small cabin out here and we'd paddle all over this lake. Not sure how these old rocks got here. Maybe Native Americans? We called it Indian Point. I've always loved it. Felt so peaceful, like the wisdom of the old chiefs seeped into me here, helping me out of whatever situation I'd gotten myself into."
Eva dropped his hand and climbed onto the rocks. One jutted over the water. She startled a couple of turtles sunning on a felled tree, and they slipped into the water. "It's... almost mystical. Thanks for bringing me here."
He climbed beside her and lowered himself onto the rock. He patted the concave spot next to him. She sank down and for a few minutes they both stared out at the sun lowering in the sky, its image creating a stripe of golden fire across the dark depths of the lake. A lazy buzzard circled overhead as scampering squirrels prepared for the coming winter, scrapping over acorns in the woods.
"I went to church this morning," he said.
"You did?"
"Mmm-hmm. You weren't there."
"I went to New Orleans. Took Charlie to see Claren."
"My dad told me. He and I had a talk."
Eva swallowed because Jake's voice was low, serious. He hadn't brought her here to watch turtles and buzzards. He had a purpose. And that kiss? What had that been about?
"What did you talk about?" she asked, clearing her throat and wrapping her arms around her knees.
The fabric of her casual sundress bunched beneath her fingers.
"You.”
"Me?"
Jake turned to her. "Yeah, and I decided something."
She crooked an eyebrow.
"We were wrong."
“About?"
"Dating."
Eva shook her head. "Look, you know I want you. That's pretty obvious, but I think we'd be stupid to sleep together. It never works between friends. Even more important, it never works between coworkers."
"Why not? It's silly to pretend like this thing between us will go away. It won't."
"I'm used to not getting what I want. Problem is, you're not."
He made a face. "What are you so afraid of? That I'll end up being like your dad?"
She felt as if he'd slapped her. On the surface she'd often thought he was similar to her father, but she'd never put it under a microscope. Was that the real reason? She was afraid she'd end up like her mother, broken and looking for another man to fix her and fill the void? Maybe so. Maybe she was afraid of trusting a man who couldn't stay put. But she wasn't going to toss that out there. Sounded irrational. "I'm afraid that once you get tired of me and move on to the next flavor of the month, our friendship would be over."
Jake's face darkened. "Why do you think I'm not capable of staying with one person?"
Eva tried to be matter-of-fact but it was hard with a teeny voice inside her urging her to consider the impossible. What if Jake could love her? What if she was different? "I've been around for three years, through all of the girls you'vedated.I'm not saying you making a commitment is impossible, but very improbable. I smell a broken heart."
"For you?"
Eva looked away. "What do you think?"
"Oh," he said, his voice soft. Eva wasn't sure she'd ever heard Jake speak so... reverently. He'd gotten her unstated message-she loved him and he'd break her heart.
