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“Mandy—”
“I know that maybe this is what you do, and casual affairs are something—”
“Excuse me!” Ted felt his own anger rise. “What are you implying?”
She pushed him away from her, then eased around him, which wasn’t a simple maneuver in a small space and had her lovely body brushing against his painfully aroused one.
“Nothing. Just leave it, Ted.”
“Leave what, exactly? You’ve just accused me of having casual affairs like I order takeout.”
“Well, I don’t know you, do I.”
It was dark in there, but the light under the door allowed him to see her. She was confused and no doubt aroused. Excellent, that made two of them.
“I don’t know you either, Mandy.”
“I’m not like you, Ted. I haven’t done this before. I don’t understand the rules.”
“There are no rules. Tell me what you want, Mandy. Tell me what you’re feeling?” He asked her questions he’d never answer himself, but he wanted the truth from her.
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry I’ve stayed away from you.”
“Okay, and I’m sorry I’ve stayed away from you,” Mandy added.
“I do believe we’re communicating,” Ted said.
“In a broom closet.” She gave him a small smile.
“Tell me something about your past? Something that explains the woman I want.”
“We both have secrets, Ted. Let’s keep it that way.”
“You know one of mine now.”
“That your family has connections? I don’t think that constitutes knowing something.”
“Sure it does.”
“So I should tell you something?”
She looked lost again; he hated that, it made him hurt.
“My secret is dark and dirty and has the power to change my life if it ever gets out. I can’t share it, Ted. All I can tell you is that the life I started out living wasn’t this one.”
He touched her cheek because he had to try and erase some of her pain. But she stepped back out of his reach, then left the closet and him.
Chapter 25
The Ryker Falls annual summer parade was something the locals looked forward to all year. Out-of-towners and locals alike came to watch it, and Mandy knew Main Street would be absolutely packed with people.
Everyone who was to take part in the parade congregated at the starting point, the fire station, where the floats were assembled.
“It’s hot as hell today, Mandy. Take off your coat,” Aunt Marla demanded. “We’re about to start soon.”
They were all dressed as fairies, but unlike her aunts, Mandy’s costume was revealing. She’d been a fool to trust them when they’d said to leave the details to them.
