Worth the Risk_ A Contemporary - Megan Hart Page 0,46

descending the stairs, his hand on the railing. Jealousy was foolish. Laila wasn't his. Her pregnancy wasn't any of his business. Hal took a few quick, deep breaths, forcing away the picture of a round-bellied Laila embracing a faceless man who was not him.

So she hadn't been completely honest about her reasons for hiring him. So what? The man in her life obviously wasn't going to be there for her, or she'd have brought him to meet her family instead of hapless Hal Kessler. She had hired him to do a job, and he'd done it. If she'd lied to him about why she needed him-- Hal muttered a curse.

She'd lied. No matter how much he tried to convince himself it didn't matter, that she didn't matter, the fact remained Laila had lied to him. It hurt. He jumped down the stairs two at a time, almost willing himself to twist his ankle. Physical pain might take away the mental anguish.

"David!"

Laila had to call his name three more times before Hal realized she was calling him. He turned to see her hesitating at the top of the porch stairs. She took one step down, then stopped.

He thought about ignoring her and just walking on. Then he hung his head and went back to her. She met him at the bottom of the steps.

"It's not what you think," she began.

He held up his hand to silence her. "You don't owe me any explanations."

"Yes, I do." Laila let out a strangled laugh. "It's kinda funny actually."

Hal had never felt less like laughing. "I don't think I want to know."

He knew his reply was unyielding, and he ignored the small stab of nasty pleasure he got from seeing the surprise on her face. Laila licked her lips, and Hal was ashamed to see the sight could still move him. He didn't want to want her, but he did.

"If you'd let me explain," she said quietly.

When she reached for his hand, he didn't move to take hers. She let hers fall back to her side. Once more she let her tongue sweep the fullness of the lips he'd never taste again. She bit the soft flesh, gnawing nervously.

"It was a misunderstanding," she said when she saw he wasn't going to answer. "Something you told Eli."

"That's easy enough, isn't it?" Hal asked bitterly without waiting for her to finish. "Blame it on Hal. Hal's an easy scapegoat for everything. It's always Hal's fault."

"Please," she said miserably, and he was ashamed to see tears glittering in her eyes.

"You hired me for a job," he said in a low voice. "I believe I've done it. Your family thinks I'm some abusive cretin who beats you. They'll be more than thrilled when I'm gone. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yes, but--"

"I called a local cab company," Hal went on. The sight of her tears was enough to make him want to call back the words, to change his mind. But he pressed on. "They'll be here in forty minutes to take me to the bus station. I booked a ticket back to Harrisburg. I can be gone by this afternoon. And you can enjoy the rest of your vacation here with your family."

She shook her head. "You don't have to do that."

Hal glanced over her shoulder. Laila'd left the front door open, but the doorway wasn't empty. Eli and his wife Sarah stood framed in it. As Hal watched, they stepped through to be replaced by Ruth and Frank. One by one, the members of Laila's family came out onto the porch and stood by the railing to watch them.

Laila hadn't noticed their audience. She stepped toward him, reaching for his hand again. This time Hal jerked away. It was the perfect time for him to give Laila what she wanted. To finish the job.

"I think I have to," he said loudly. "What did you expect me to do, Laila?"

"I thought you'd let me tell you what happened," she said.

Hal made sure to keep his voice loud enough to carry to the army of relatives. "Right. Do you think any of your stupid explanations matter any more? I'm tired of listening to you and your worthless stories!"

Laila straightened her shoulders. "What?"

Hal grimaced, taking a step toward her that must have been menacing because she moved back. He jabbed his finger at her. "I'm tired of bowing and scraping for you, Laila! I'm sick of it! Staying with you has been the worst mistake I've ever made, and I intend