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“Not upset enough to look for me yourself.” Babs’s eyes dart out the window, and her lips tug into a frown. She presses her eyes closed, then shakes her head in shame. “I should’ve known it was too good to be true.”
She shoves her chair away from the table and abruptly stands. “Ya know what? I’m no longer hungry.Tell the server to charge our meals to my room. Enjoy your meal, Ryan.”
I watch her leave, stunned, for half a second before I bolt to my feet and run after her. “Carrie!”
She strides right into an open elevator and pushes the button several times to get the door to close, but I'm able to get inside before the doors close completely.
Babs glares at the closing doors and her jaw pulses as she stands quietly next to me, her arms folded over her chest.
“I’m sorry. That came out entirely wrong.” I rub my clammy hands down the front of my jeans. “I’m happy I’m here. I’m thrilled they found you. I wouldn’t have known where to start.”
Her gaze snaps to mine. “How about starting with a phone call?”
I wince. “You’re right.”
Babs drops her hands to her sides and knits her brows together. “What?”
The elevator pings and the doors open on her floor. She stares at it for a beat, as if not comprehending why the doors are open.
I grab her arm and pull her into the hallway. “Let’s talk in your room.”
“I don’t want to talk in my room.” She pulls her arm away. “I told you why.”
“Then let’s talk on the balcony. You have two chairs there too. We’ll have our backs to your room.”
She worries her lower lip with her teeth, then nods, pulling the keycard out of her pocket.
As she opens the door, I run my hand through my hair. How am I going to get this woman to realize how I feel about her?
Chapter 34
Confessions of the Insecure
Carrie
Iwalkintomyhotel, not stopping to wait for Ryan, but going directly to the back of the hotel, opening the sliding glass door to the balcony, and plopping into the nearest chair.
There’s still a cool breeze out here, but the overall temperature is warm enough that the breeze is welcome. It’s much quieter out here than before. Most of the traffic and boats have stopped for the night, and I can hear the gentle lapping of the water as it hits the boardwalk below.
My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I haven’t had more than three bites of food since lunch six hours ago. I eye the cold burger on the table inside but decide against it. For now.
Instead, I snatch a piece of chocolate I left on the balcony table and pop it into my mouth.
Ryan sits in the other chair, splaying his hands out as if to calm me. “I’m sorry.”
I stare at him, contemplating my next move. It hurt when I called and he didn’t answer. Like someone was peeling the skin from my heart. I didn't know heartache could feel like that. “Maybe it’s not meant to be.”
My gaze drifts from his, unwilling to see his reaction. “I disappeared and left you with the car. And when I was ready to talk, you weren’t ready. Maybe it’s a sign that whatever we have isn’t supposed to happen.”
I say the words and then immediately regret it. Holding my breath, I drag my eyes back to his.
Ryan scooches his chair closer to me until our knees are touching. Then he grabs my hands and squeezes. The warmth of his skin on mine makes my breathing stutter. I stare at our hands, etching this memory into my mind in case it’s the last time.Please, don't let it be the last time!
“Look at me,” he murmurs.
I press my eyes closed, unable to lift them. I don’t want to read his face. I don’t want to see the rejection. I don’t want to cry myself to sleep tonight.
Ryan puts his finger under my chin and lifts my head until I’m locking gazes with those mesmerizing slate-colored eyes of his.
