Page 59 of Too Good to Be True
“What question?” She was buying time, and he didn’t look fooled.
“I asked if you were attracted to me.”
“Nick…”
“Because, if you are, and I think you are, I don’t understand why you said yes to Eric.”
She averted her eyes.
“Do you really want to go out with him, or are you just doing it to avoid me?”
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“Aren’t you? Isn’t that why you didn’t come to the bar tonight?”
“Nobody invited me.” It sounded petty, but she didn’t care.
“I only went because I hoped you would too. When you didn’t show, I took a chance that you might be home.”
“I bet Britney was disappointed you left.” Now she sounded jealous, and she wished she could take it back.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in Britney.”
A wave of uneasiness washed over her. “You didn’t tell her you were coming here, did you?”
“No.”
She must have looked visibly relieved, because he immediately said, “That’s what it is, isn’t it? You don’t want to admit you’re attracted to me because you don’t want anyone else to know. You’re afraid.”
She shook her head. “We shouldn’t even be having this discussion. You shouldn’t be here.”
“Tell me to leave, then.”
His words hung in the air along with his scent—pure masculinity and rain, an intoxicating combination. He started to move closer, but she held up a hand. It was a weak attempt, though, and she immediately dropped it.
He slowly reached out and placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“What are you afraid of?”
Gee…where do I begin? “You’re Fran’s nephew.”
“She doesn’t have to know.”
“She knows everything. She’ll find out.”
“Are you worried about losing your job? Because I won’t let that happen.”
“What can you do? You’re still in your probationary period.” She hadn’t meant to sound harsh, just honest.
He looked down at their hands.
“We’ll be discreet.”
“Things have a way of leaking out. Believe me, I know.” Cole had said the same thing about him and Deanna, and look how that had turned out.
“But you weren’t worried about that when you said yes to Eric.”
It sounded more like an accusation than a question, but she couldn’t blame him. “Eric isn’t related to my boss, and I’m not training him.”
