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Her whiskey-brown eyes were tinged with panic, and her lips were pressed in a firm line. Before he could react, she scrambled off the couch.
“I’m so sorry, Quinn. I shouldn’t have done that.”
He tracked her anxious pacing with his gaze, holding completely still. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable. Well,moreuncomfortable.
“I can’t. I’m sorry. It’s not because I don’t want to. Because I do,” she said, her words stumbling over one another. “It’s just... It’s not... The timing is shit, and I’m not being fair to you.”
He knew she had to work out what was going on in her head for herself. And he’d be a patient friend—because, first and foremost, that’s what he was. Right now, she needed someone who would listen andnotwrap her in his arms. Even if it killed him.
She stopped and faced him, wringing her hands. Tears slipped down her cheeks. “I’m a mess. And I don’t want to make your life a mess, too. It’s not fair to you.”
He ached to hold her.
She hurried on, her eyes ping-ponging around the room. “I know I’m not making sense right now. But you don’t really want to get involved with someone like me. And don’t get me wrong, I like you, Quinn. I really do... Probably more than I should. Well, for sure more than I should.”
His lips curved up. Thank god for small miracles.
“Don’t grin,” she huffed. “That’s not the point, Quinn.”
The point—to him—was that the panic in her eyes had eased. It sure as fuck was still there, but it was a lot less.
“I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not attracted to you. I am. You’re a really great guy. But I don’t want to mess things up for you, and that’s what will happen if you get involved with me. My god, Quinn, I’m still married—”
“Technically.” He shrugged. As far as he was concerned, her sack-of-shit spouse had been revoked of all his husband privileges the second he had hurt her. “And you filed your divorce papers before you left Boston.”
“—and I’m pregnant on top of it all,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “My life is a soap opera, and I don’t want to lead you on. I’m just not good for you and...”
She fell silent, looking everywhere but at him as he rose to his feet. He closed the distance between them, and she rushed on with more excuses.
“Really, Quinn, I’ll ruin your life. I don’t know—”
“Let me ask you a question,” he interrupted, standing before her, though not so close as to crowd her. He wasn’t sure the nudge he was about to give her was the wisest decision, but he didn’t have the willpower to change course.
He waited for her slight nod before continuing. “Back there?” He gestured to the couch with his head. “Did you want to kiss me?”
Her eyes widened, and her lips parted with a nearly inaudible gasp. But after a few beats of silence, she gave another slight nod.
He held out his palms, and when she placed her tiny hands in his, the tightness in his chest dissolved. The amount of trust in that one act wasn’t lost on him.
Knowing he needed to keep things light, he led them back to the couch. They assumed their previous seats at opposite ends, facing each other.
“Well.” He held his arms out wide and shot her what he hoped was a playful grin. “Have at it.”
Her eyes narrowed in disbelief, and a flush reddened her cheeks. But he didn’t miss how the edges of her lips ticked up. “What? Just lay one on you? Just like that?”
“We’ve become friends, right?”
She nodded. There was no hesitation and that made him want to grin like a fool. He ignored the urge.
“We’re attracted to each other,” he said. “But what happens next is up to you. You’re in the driver’s seat, Alex. We move as fast or as slow as you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
Doubt flickered over her face. She shook her head. “That’s not fair to you. What if I’m all gung-ho, like earlier, and then... can’t? What if—”
“Like I said, you’re in the driver’s seat, sweetheart. I’m happy with whatever you’re willing and comfortable to give. You want to just hold hands for a year? I’m good with that.”
Her brow arched, calling bullshit, and he grinned.
“Seriously, Alex, I’m not a teenager who can’t control things. What matters isyou. And you being comfortable with me. However long it takes. I want to get to know you. See where this”—he waved a hand between them—“goes.”
