Page 46 of Chasing Amanda

Emotions played across Mark’s face. His Adam’s apple dipped, but he said, “Nope. I think you should.”

She nodded slowly. “If he takes me out Friday night, we’ll probably have a few drinks. He likes to drink.”

“You don’t.”

“I can learn. And then when we get home, maybe I’ll invite him up for dessert. You’re okay with that?”

“You still have that cheesecake⁠—”

“That’s not the dessert I mean.”

Mark blinked a few times, swallowed again.

“You don’t care if I date him? Or another man? If I invite them to my apartment…if I invite them to my bed⁠—?”

“Amanda.” He groaned, looking toward the sky. “Please don’t.”

“I thought you didn’t care.”

His gaze snapped to her. “I never said that.” His eyes blazed with emotion. “What do you want me to say?”

“How about the truth?”

He stepped back and crossed his arms.

“Okay. I’ll start.” Now or never, because once he walked out of her life, she might never see him again.

Decimated buildings. Suicide bombers. Caskets draped with flags. Images of war flashed through her mind. Anything could happen. He might not come home. And she couldn’t live with the idea that he might die without knowing.

He thought she was brave for walking to the police station by herself, but that was nothing compared to telling him how she felt—and how deeply she felt it—knowing he’d probably reject her. But she had to do it. He was worth the risk. “Thursday night, I thought you were following me. Friday, I wasn’t sure if you were a superhero or a stalker. But sometime on Saturday, between the fish tacos and the mall, I fell in love with you.”

Mark didn’t move. He barely breathed.

“And it’s not because you saved my life—twice. It’s more than that. You’re everything I want in a man, everything I ever wanted.”

She waited for some response, some reaction. But there was nothing. “Look me in the eye, Mark, and tell me you don’t care for me.”

Another beat passed, and hope flared inside.

But then, he looked down, leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m sorry.”

He turned and walked away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

As soon as Mark was around the corner, he broke into a run, skirting people and bikes and dogs.

He had to get away from her.

He knew what he wanted for his life. No commitments. No relationships. No woman demanding things from him. He wouldn’t give up his plans. Not for Amanda. Not for anyone.

He should be happy he’d avoided that trap.

But all he felt was…sick.

What was he doing?

None of this made sense. Mark had saved a total stranger from an attacker.