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“Why then?”
“Well, I know Grammy and Grandpa are returning after the holiday sometime. They’ll be tired from traveling. I’m sure they’ll want the house to themselves for a bit. I’ll stay with them when I come back for closing. But besides...” She grimaced.
“Besides what?”
“I need to get my things out of Jason’s apartment. He’ll be flying home soon, too...unless he changed our tickets.”
“Ah, yes.” Harry’s expression was inscrutable. “And how were you planning to get back to Atlanta?”
“If you hadn’t returned by the weekend, I was going to rent a car. Still can if you have other plans for the holiday.”
For all she knew, Harry might have a cadre of friends who expected him to participate in house parties or golf tournaments or boating adventures. The Fourth was a big holiday in the South. And since the weather was supposed to be perfect, Blossom Branch would be overrun with revelers.
Harry grabbed one last roll from the breadbasket. “No plans,” he said. “Your idea sounds like fun. Count me in.”
Cate tried not to let on how pleased she was to hear him say that. She had thoroughly enjoyed her time in Blossom Branch, even the two weeks alone. But being with Harry again made everything brighter. His presence filled a room. He was boldly masculine, but at the same time creative and brilliant.
She tried not to let herself think about his sex appeal. Even when she was engaged to Jason, she had felt uneasy around Harry. Aside from the fact that his constant teasing bothered her, there was something about him that literally made her feel...shivery.
Now that they had shared living arrangements in two different places, she understood that her reaction to him was elemental. He was a man. She was a woman. No matter how she tried to spin it, the truth was alarming.
She was attracted to Harry.
Recognizing and admitting that earth-shattering fact stole her breath and left her forehead damp and her legs wobbly.
Cate barely noticed when the server arrived at their table and asked about dessert.
Harry said her name, maybe for the second or third time. “Cate?” he asked. “Do you want a piece of carrot cake? Or something else?” He was looking at her with an odd expression.
She cleared her throat. “Not for me, thanks. But you go ahead.”
When Harry declined as well, she felt a rush of relief. If she could only get back to the house and escape to her room, all would be well.
Cate found herself in a trance. She couldn’t judge how much time passed between the paying of the check and the stroll to the car. Unlike two weeks ago, it was dark out. The full moon was long gone.
Harry unlocked the car, opened her door and waited for her to be seated. Then he rounded the front bumper, got in and started the engine.
“What do you want to do when we get back to the house?” he asked.
Thirteen
Cate was horrified to realize she almost giggled. Like a middle school girl. At the last second, she swallowed her inappropriate response.
Fortunately, Harry had no clue about her reaction to him.
“Um,” she said. “I might go for a run. That was a lot of calories.” She paused. “You’re welcome to join me.”
It was a short trip home. When Harry pulled into the driveway a few minutes later, he said, “I think I’m up for a run. I promised my administrative assistant I’d give her a couple of things she needs for a morning meeting, but I can do that when we get back.”
“Good,” Cate said. “I’ll meet you here in fifteen minutes.”
Upstairs, she changed into the same running clothes Harry had already seen. She wasn’t putting on a show. This was about exercise.
Even when she made it outside and saw Harry stretching against the bumper of his car, she kept herself in check. His shorts and T-shirt were loose fitting, but it was impossible to miss the fact that he was incredibly fit.
He stretched both arms over his head and grabbed his left elbow. “All set?”
She nodded, trying not to notice the way muscles rippled in his thighs. “Sure.”
