Page 128

Just after nine thirty, Toby’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then frowned. It was late for Reggie to be texting him.

I know it’s late, but I was hoping we could talk for a second. Can I stop by?

The unusual request surprised him, and his first thought was that something was wrong. His second, far more powerful and intriguing, was that she wanted to come over to do anything but talk. His brain immediately supplied dozens of images of him making love with Reggie, fast the first time, both of them driven by passion, then slow the second time, each of them discovering the other until they had no choice but to surrender to the inevitable.

He shook off the fantasies, ignored his instant erection and quickly responded.

Sure.

Be right there.

He put down his book and walked downstairs. Judy had gone to her room about an hour ago, and Harrison was already in bed. The house was quiet.

He clicked on a few lights and waited by the front door. A couple of minutes later, headlights swept across the front of the house. He opened the door and watched as she got out of her car and hurried toward him.

When she stepped inside, he tried to gauge what she was thinking. There were no signs of panic or concern, so he could let his worry go. But she also wasn’t throwing herself at him, so the whole fantasy evening thing was probably a no.

“What’s up?” he asked, taking her coat, then leading her into the formal living room. It was away from Judy’s room, so their talking wouldn’t disturb her. Only after he sat across from her on the sofa did he register what she was wearing.

The fitted black dress clung to every curve, emphasizing the best parts of her body, and she had on makeup. This was not daytime Reggie who was always beautiful, but casually dressed. She’d been out somewhere. Possibly to a party, or maybe on a date.

The idea of the latter made him want to interrogate her, but he knew he had no right. He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in any kind of relationship with her or anyone, so he couldn’t complain if she went out with someone else. But telling himself that didn’t ease the sudden tightness in his chest or the need to demand answers.

She sat on the edge of the cushion.

“I had dinner with Jake,” she said bluntly, her gaze meeting his. “Up at the resort.”

The tightness became a band that made it impossible to breathe. Jealousy and anger battled for dominance, although he knew neither was appropriate.

“I wanted to tell you myself because I knew you’d probably hear about it from someone else.” Her mouth curved in a half smile. “I’m not saying that I’m so interesting that everyone is dying to talk about my life, but Jake is certainly news, and we were engaged.”

She raised one shoulder. “I went out with him because I was curious. Were any of the old feelings still alive?”

“Are they?”

He told himself the answer didn’t matter, that Reggie wasn’t for him because being with her would require a level of trust he no longer possessed, but he still didn’t breathe until she responded.

“No.” She shook her head. “They’re not, which makes me sad. I was going to marry him. Shouldn’t there still be something? Which isn’t what I came to talk about.”

Too bad, because he could talk about how much she wasn’t interested in Jake all day.

“My point is,” she continued, “I wanted you to hear it from me. I know we’re not dating, but there’s still something going on, and I didn’t want you thinking I was sneaking around behind your back.”

She paused, her gaze locking with his. “You’re wrong to ignore what’s happening between us. You say you won’t get involved because you have to protect Harrison, but I think that’s just an excuse. You’ve been burned enough times that you’re not willing to risk your heart, but to admit that makes you uncomfortable. You’ve come up with a convenient excuse so that you never have to put anything on the line.”

She shifted on her seat. “While that’s fine in the short term, eventually you’re going to look around and see what you’ve given up. Chances are it’s going to be too late to try again. Your no-dating rule is ridiculous. You know it, and I know it, and you really should think about being more honest with yourself. After that, you should ask me out, because if you don’t, you’re going to regret it forever.”

She stood. “I know the way out. Have a good night.”

And then she was gone.

Toby sat on the sofa, stunned by her words and in awe of her courage. Reggie had always been honest and brave, but tonight she’d been exceptional. Wrong about him, but incredible in every way possible.

He knew he had to protect his son. That mattered more than anything. But she was right about him regretting losing her. He knew that was something he was going to be dealing with for a very long time.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Micah carefully ran the credit card charge, then handed the receipt to the woman trying to keep control of her two small children. The youngest, a little girl of maybe four or five, darted across the Christmas tree lot, toward the exit. Micah sprinted after her, catching her before she got out onto the sidewalk.