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He didn’t argue over her terminology. Maybe he would have had they been in Dallas, but here in Bliss, he let it be. Hale was the longest relationship of his life, and the idea of it changing had him reeling. A “breakup” with Hale would likely hurt worse than any he’d ever gone through with a girlfriend. “I didn’t think we would. I guess I thought he would come with me like he always has. Hale kind of floats along. I mean he did. He pretty much went along with whatever I wanted, and that sounds worse than it truly is.”
“You made the decisions,” she confirmed. “I get that. I did that with my husband until he found someone else. From what I understand their relationship is very different than ours was. He cares enough to make an effort with her.”
She didn’t understand, and suddenly it was important that she did. “That wasn’t Hale’s problem. I think his childhood was so crappy, he doesn’t ask for what he wants because he never learned to. His mom left early. He didn’t know his dad. He got passed around a lot. The only mother figure who actually cared about him died, and then he went into foster care. Hale has learned to accept what he’s given and not ask for more. But I think he wants more now, and you were a part of that. He would never have argued with me about who to date before he met you.”
“Well, maybe if we both stay here in Bliss, we can revisit the idea somewhere down the line,” she offered. “Friends, then?” She held out a hand.
He wished he could be more. He took her hand in his, feeling the warmth she always brought him. “Friends. And could you please think about giving Hale another chance? Seriously, he’s not talking to me, and I don’t handle silence as well as he does.”
She squeezed his hand and then stepped back, her answer obvious before she even spoke a word. “I think we should all be friends.” She glanced over her shoulder at the hostess station where Micky was back, a form in his hand. “Could you stand to work with me? If I can get a job here. I’ve already applied at Stella’s and the Trading Post.”
It would be absolute torture being around her and not being able to touch her. “I think it would be great. I’ll put in a good word for you. I don’t know if there’s anything full time though.”
In the background he heard the door open again, but he was focused on Elisa.
“I’m good with part time for now while I look around. My only real plan is to spend some time figuring out my future. I was in the military for so long, I don’t know a lot else,” she explained. “I might figure out I need to do the school thing again.”
He knew all about that. “It can be weird to be the oldest person in class, but the good thing about a college like Adams State is you can always find the actual working adults who are trying to better themselves. We share a lot of notes.”
“I would honestly rather avoid it,” she admitted. “I didn’t love school, though I like learning new things. I tend to prefer to do it hands on. It’s another reason I’m pretty committed to staying. I’ve been told I can learn all kinds of things here in Bliss. My dad apparently can teach me how to make pottery. And fight aliens, of course, but the pottery thing sounds like fun.”
“Hey,” a familiar voice said.
Van looked up and Hale was standing there, his hat in his hand. “Hey.”
Elisa turned, her face flushing a pretty pink. “Hey.”
The circle of hey was complete. “I thought you were working at the cabin all day. I’m sorry. I would have left you the car if I’d known you were coming into town.”
“Max gave me a ride.” Hale turned to Elisa. “I was hoping I could talk to you. Not like for a long time or anything. I know that… Well, I lost that chance this morning when I screwed up. I need to make a few things clear though. I loved last night. It was one of the best nights of my life. Probably the best night.”
What the hell was Hale doing? He was reaching for Elisa’s hand, taking it into his own. He covered hers with both of his, surrounding her.
“But I wrecked that this morning with thoughtless words,” Hale continued before glancing his way. “To both of you. Van, I’m sorry. I should honor your boundaries the way I would hers.”
“I have boundaries?” He had no idea what was happening.
Hale ignored him. “I need you to understand that I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
