AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elisa’s lips turned down but she didn’t pull her hand back. “That’s laying it on a bit thick.”
“It’s simple truth. Sometimes you meet a person who seems brighter than the others, and maybe then you see them with something other than your eyes,” Hale said. His thumb moved over Elisa’s wrist. “I hope you stay around and that we can be friendly because I would hate to be the person who ran you off.”
Her eyes rolled and she sighed. Now she did take a step back, but her hand came up to her chest. “I’m not leaving. I was telling Van I’m looking for a job. I was also telling him that I might have been overly sensitive this morning, but it’s probably for the best. I’m not ready for a serious relationship.”
Hale looked like a kicked puppy for a second, but then seemed to rally. “Well, it’s not the first time I’ve heard that. I understand. I can be a lot.”
“It’s not about you. I like you.” She seemed to stumble in her efforts to reassure him.
“I thought it went well, but I can misread situations,” Hale admitted. “I get caught up in how I feel, and I forget that you don’t feel the same things.”
She looked confused for a moment.
Sometimes he had to translate for Hale. “He thinks the sex wasn’t good for you.”
Her skin went an even deeper pink, and she glanced around as though trying to see if anyone was watching them.
Everyone was watching them, of course. And he was pretty sure his boss could read lips.
“It wasn’t bad.” Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. “I can’t believe I said that. I didn’t mean that. I was good. It was amazing.”
“So are your breasts,” Hale said somberly.
Had Hale meant to do that? Holy crap. He’d never seen Hale navigate a situation with any real dexterity, but he was handling this one beautifully.
“I think what he’s trying to say…” Van began out of habit more than any real need.
“He’s made his point.” Elisa nodded. “Sometimes we say things that don’t fully express how we feel. All right. All is forgiven, but I do think I’m right about the whole serious-relationship thing. I need to concentrate on building a relationship with my dad and finding my place here.”
Hale gave her a soulful look. “I understand.”
“It’s not about you.” Elisa looked like she did not believe him in any way when he said he understood. “If I thought we could hang out and it wouldn’t be too serious…”
“Like I said, I understand. I think if we were to be alone together, it would be hard for me to keep my hands off you. I’ve done nothing but think about last night all day. If we were alone, I would be tempted to show you it can be better,” Hale said, his voice going low.
“It was pretty perfect, and that was the problem,” she muttered. She looked back as though she needed a distraction. “I should go. I need to get some more applications in. Uhm, I’ll see you guys around.”
She practically ran away.
Hale frowned after her. “I don’t think that worked the way I hoped it would.”
Van wasn’t so sure. Elisa joined her stepmom, but she looked back at the two of them before she walked out of the tavern. “What did you hope it would do?”
Hale shrugged. “I wanted her to remember that it was good because it was. She wasn’t faking anything. I know women can, but she wasn’t. She was right there with us…with me.”
“I think she remembered. That’s why she ran away.” Van hated the adjustment he’d made, but it was probably a good thing. “The good news is she’s sticking around. I agree with you. She was right there with you. If I hadn’t…”
Hale shook his head. “No. I made the mistake of going after you. It was your choice, and I didn’t let you make it. I apologize.”
“Hale, you don’t have to apologize.” He hated the queasy feeling in his gut. “You thought you were helping me.”
“I thought I could fool myself and that if I convinced you to stay with us, nothing would have to change.” Hale slid his coat off and hung it over the back of the chair across from Van. “But time’s not going to stop, and you’re going to leave for Dallas in May. I’m almost certain I’m going to stay here. In fact, I think I’m staying here for the holidays.”
So that apology was complete bullshit. “You’re punishing me.”
“I’m not. I like your brother and his family, but this place is starting to feel like home,” Hale explained. “I worry if I follow you to Dallas, I’ll be living your life, not mine. I have to stop running at some point, and I think this is where I try to build something. I’m going after that woman. If she’s staying, then I can take my time with her.”
