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“You said this morning you’ve considered a bigger city and that nothing’s keeping you here.”
“That’s not quite how the conversation went.” She didn’t look upset, but the hesitation wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
“It’s a plan in progress.”
“My livelihood is here. My sales connections. My regular customers.”
This was the point where he should concede and tell her he understood. “I’ll help you get re-established.”
“And then what? You don’t agree with my business plan. What did you say? It wasn’t the kind of thing that made money.” Sadness lined her words.
“There are ways to improve on the idea. I can help.”Stop talking. Drop it.He refused to listen to the voice in his head.
She tugged his fingers. “I don’t want help with that.” Her tone was calm and even. “I’m happy with the idea the way it is, and the gallery I want is here.”
“You wanted to know earlier what could have been thirteen years ago. This is our chance to find out. Minus the sarcastic cynicism.”
“The teenager in me wants to find out,” she said. “She’s so very desperate for me to sayyes. But we don’t know each other. I adore the boy I grew up with. I hope you feel the same, but—you know—the other way around. The problem is, we clash every time the real world rears its head. A lot of that’s on me; I have so much baggage... You’re the one who makes the predictions. How do you think this plays out? I’m guessing I give up my life here, sell everything, and move in with you. Sounds amazing. Until the fighting gets worse and the memories can’t hold us together. Do I have that right?”
“Real close.” He didn’t want to concede, but she had a point. “The sex is amazing.”
She smirked. “I can’t argue that, but it doesn’t make a relationship. Ask me again though, and I won’t sayno.”
He was thinking clearly enough to know that would be a huge mistake. “I won’t ask again. Get some rest until Phillips says we can go.” He slumped back in his chair, trying to make sense of what just happened. The conversation felt backwards and nonsensical. Or rather, it should. Instead, the only part that confused him was where it ended with ano.
Chapter Fourteen
Bailey woke up to sunlightstriking her face, and a screaming headache. A weight pressed against her hand, and she forced her head to the side. What she saw made her smile and temporarily erased the pain. Jonathan sat in a chair by her side, head resting on the bed. The clock on the far wall said it was almost eight. She assumed from the sunlight it was morning. Did the storm pass?
Jonathan stirred and looked up. His hair stuck up in every direction, pale stubble covered his chin, and he had a red mark on his cheek. He looked sexy as heck, and it reminded her of the conversation the night before.
He gave her a tired smile and scooted back to stretch. “How do you feel?”
“Like a cinderblock shelf fell on me.” She forced a laugh.
“Are you two decent?” Dr. Phillips called, seconds before stepping into the doorway. “How do you feel?”
