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She stopped swinging and gingerly sat up, her green eyes cool. “What did you mean by saying I’m a lost cause?”
Uh oh. Judging by the blades in her voice, he was in trouble. “What?”
“The other night. Rob asked me out, and you said I was a lost cause.”
“I didn’t say that.” He frowned. Whathadhe said?
“You did.” Her voice pitched higher, and she carefully stood. “You told him to give me up as a lost cause. Is that because you think I’m so pathetic that I don’t want to have fun anymore? Or do you think no one would ever find me attractive?” She gulped. “I know I haven’t always been nice to you, but I didn’t think you could be so mean.”
“Sarah.” He inched closer. “I would never say you were a lost cause. I just meant Rob shouldn’t bother asking you out. I thought you didn’t want to go out on dates.”
“I didn’t.” The green gaze dropped to the floor as her cheeks went pink.
The truth hit him like a slap in the face. She didn’t want to go out with him, but Rob was a different matter. He squeezed air past the rocks sitting on his chest. “But now you do.”
“I thought you told me to live a little, to not feel guilty if I feel new feelings.”
He nodded but really only wanted to shake his head. Words clamped in his throat:I meant I want to be more than just a shoulder to cry on, so don’t feel guilty if you have feelings for me.
“So if someone wants to ask me out, I might say yes.”
“Even if they’re not the right man for you?”
She snorted. “And you’d know?”
Dan sucked in a deep breath, trying to maintain an impassive face. “I know Rob, and I know he won’t satisfy you. He’s a nice guy, but not really suited for long-term relationships.”
She choked back a hysterical-sounding laugh. “I kind of got that impression.”
“So why’d you go out with him?” He took a step closer.
She turned away, and he gently moved her shoulders until he could see her face. Her eyes were wide, vulnerable, shimmering. “I just want to know that someone will love me again.”
“Oh, Sar.” He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her start of surprise, hearing her intake of breath. Yeah, he felt like that too. Could she hear how fast his heart was beating? She fitted so perfectly in his arms, her hair smelled so sweet—his heart was zinging all over the place. “Sar, you know there’ll be many men who’d love the chance to love you.”
“I don’t know that. I’m not a man. I don’t know what they see.”
“Are you fishing for a compliment?” he murmured.
“You know I hate fishing.”
His smile softened as he drew back. “Well, this man sees a sweet, beautiful girl who’s been hurt by life and was lost, but now, with God’s help, is finding her way back to being the person God made her to be.” He tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear. “She’s kind, funny, a gifted singer, and has so many other talents I don’t even know of yet. Why wouldn’t someone fall in love with her?”
Sarah’s big eyes were drinking in his encouragement. He stopped before revealing too much more of his heart. “Sar, if you think you’re a victim, then others can start to view you that way too. But you’re not. And guys are noticing.”
“Guys?” Sarah’s head tilted. “As in plural?”
Dan’s cheeks heated. He had foot-in-mouth syndrome, for sure. “Believe me, there will be plenty. Now, I need to know. Do you want to go out on the boat?”
“Okay. But”—a beat—“I’m bringing my book.”
* * *
Bright sun dancedacross the sparkling water, a dazzling tonic for the turbulence of the past few days. Sarah had slathered on the sunscreen, and with a broad-brimmed hat and long sleeves, was doing her best to avoid sunburn as she sat, trying to read under the boat’s canopy while the guys fished and swam. But the words were just black marks on the page, her thoughts too full of what had been said earlier.
Dan thought she was beautiful! A little thrill rippled through her. But no. Stop. Stuff that emotion back into its box. He was just being nice because, really, that was overstating things alot. She’d settle for pretty. Occasionally. On a good day.
She peeked across at Dan as he laughed with Jason at the other end of the boat. He’d said she was funny. Did he mean funnyha haor funnypeculiar? Her sense of humor was a little warped at times, but some people seemed to like it.
