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I disagreed. “I actually think it’s a great idea.”
“You would.”
The damned bet. If I could take it back, I would. Then again, the only reason Natalie was even speaking to me cordially was because she expected to keep the inlet. Without that possibility hovering over us, she likely wouldn’t even be here right now.
I’d gotten myself into a fine mess.
Of course, I could abandon the purchase completely, no strings attached, and pull Natalie into my arms, and my bed, right this second. But as much as I’d love to do that, I had at least a shred of discipline left in me and knew it was an even worse idea than the bet itself.
“Suit yourself,” I said, trying to sound as if it didn’t matter. As if I didn’t care if she stayed or not.
Truth was? I did care.
Too much.
SIXTEEN
natalie
“Any other questions?”
I had a few choice ones.
The public hearing, at least the portion of it covering the inlet sale, was just about over. And while it was true I hadn’t had a meaningful conversation with Jaxon—no way I was calling him Jax anymore after tonight—in days, I thought we’d had an understanding.
After the dinner where I nearly lost the entire bet because my urge to say, “fuck it,” and stay at his house became nearly overwhelming, I decided it was best to stay away. By Sunday, when I hadn’t heard from him, I came up with another bogus question and texted him. That led to another text. And another. By bedtime, we’d been chatting all day, but not about the land. Favorite movie. Favorite food. Everything and anything was suddenly on the table after he fired off, “Your turn. Tell me something I don’t know.”
On Monday, he asked if I was coming over, but I reminded him I’d finished going through the paperwork and there was no need. That led to more texting, and me nearly breaking down and heading to his place to work anyway. I loved sitting on the deck, enough shade to see my laptop but still be outside, but also could admit I liked his company too.
I liked the way he looked at me.
And the way he looked in general.
I liked feeling safe in his presence, despite the fact I never really felt unsafe out of it.
It was precisely for those reasons I’d stayed in the office and avoided texting him today too. Knowing I’d see him at the meeting tonight, I’d spent extra time getting ready but not overdoing it as if I were trying too hard. And all for what? To have traitor Jaxon navigate questions about the sale and thank everyone, saying he was looking forward to “bringing a new bed and breakfast experience to the area” that he was certain would “add value to both the lakefront and local businesses.”
As if it were a done deal.
Hearing enough, I got up to leave. Since the public hearing was held in the courthouse, I’d walked from my apartment. Never mind it was pouring outside. Never mind I didn’t have an umbrella. I simply tucked my purse inside my jacket and pushed the door open. Angrily making my way down the stairs, already soaking wet, I took off down the block.
“Natalie, wait.”
I didn’t stop. Even when he called my name, louder and louder, apparently closer to me, I kept going. In fact, I picked up my pace. It wasn’t until I’d turned off Main Street toward my apartment that he caught up with me.
“Natalie,” he said, right behind me. Even still, I kept going. But now there was no way to avoid him as Jaxon was walking beside me. “I had to go through with that meeting.”
I was drenched. He was drenched. But it didn’t matter. Nothing did, except his betrayal.
“Talk to me,” he said just as a crack of thunder made the ground rumble under my feet.
“No thank you,” I said. Fumbling around in my purse for the keys, I was about to climb the stairs to my apartment when Jaxon spun me around to face him.
“Talk to me,” he repeated, this time more forcefully.
A crack of lightning filled the sky, almost, but not quite, making me jump into Jaxon’s arms. The thing scared the crap out of me.
“Can we just do this another time?” I asked. “If you haven’t noticed, it’s pouring.”
