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He unbuckled and turned in his seat to face me. When he cupped my cheeks with his surprisingly chillyhands, I released a shiver. “You’re lovely. I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone as special as you.”
Now he’d add “but”.
“I want to kiss you,” he said instead.
“Then why don’t you?” I croaked.
“It’s forbidden.”
That, I hadn’t expected. “Forbidden by who?”
His hands dropped away. “Me.” He turned away and opened his car door, climbing out.
I got out as well. My throat felt tight, and my chest hurt, but I’d lived through the death of both of my parents. I’d dealt with bullies in school. People in town snootily suggesting I wouldn’t make a go of my ice cream shop.
I could handle this too.
He rounded the front of the car and stopped in front of me. “I’m sorry. I . . . I told myself I wasn’t going to get involved with anyone.”
“Never?” I traced my fingertip across my lips, wishing that he’d kissed me.
“For a while.”
“How strong is your vow?”
“It’s not quite a vow.”
“A promise to yourself?”
“Not even that,” he said.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to get involved with anyone.” With me, that is. It hurt to think he didn’t see right away that we might be good together.
“I’m not exactly saying that.” He ran his fingers across the top of his head, messing up his hair.
I wouldn’t push him. We barely knew each other. But minds could change . . .
He hefted his pad of paper and pen, fluttering them in the air. “Let’s gather some evidence, and then we can talk.”
Whenever a guy wanted to talk, it usually involved letting me down gently. So much for getting dirty.
“Sure.” Faking a smile, I waved for him to go ahead of me up the paved walkway. “Grannie lives in the house. I’m in the apartment above the garage.”
His gaze shot in that direction before landing on me again. I swore I read a hint of sadness there.
We went inside.
“Grannie?” I called out as I shut the back door. “I’ve brought Elrik from Monsters, PI. He’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“I’m in the living room, dear,” she said cheerfully. “Bring him in.” Her voice lowered, and a hint of mischief came through. “From your description, I bet he’s cute. Is he? I get so few visitors that it’s nice when they’re cute.”
“What do you think?” I whispered. “Are you cute?”
He shot me a smile that made heat flare through me. “I believe I am cute. What do you think?”
I grumbled. “I think you’re a guy with a promise he made not to get involved with anyone yet.”
“Touché.” He scratched the back of his neck, and his gaze dragged from mine to the floor as if he wasn’t sure how I’d respond to his words. “I’m beginning to think I should relax my rule.”
