She turned, eyebrows rising. “You looked them over?”
“I told you I would. I’ll keep all my promises to you from now on, Addy.”
Oh, she wished he wouldn’t say things like that. And she wished that the navy T-shirt didn’t turn his remarkable eyes an even darker blue and that when she saw the S emblazoned on the cotton covering his broad chest, she didn’t think of Sexy and So Good in Bed.
She curled her fingers into her palms, hoping the bite of her nails would get her mind back on track. “Could you glean anything about the state of Sunrise Pictures’ financials? When Max Sunstrum closed the doors, could you tell if it was in the red or black?”
Before Baxter could answer, she lifted her shoulders in a self-deprecating little shrug. “And please, make it simple. Because I’m going to confess I don’t actually remember which one is better, even though I took an accounting elective in high school. Mr. Finney was a complete tool. The only thing I actually know about red and black is that I don’t look good in either one.”
His mouth twitched. “No?”
“No. Too harsh for the pale hair and the pale complexion. I once tried cherry-red, which is supposed to be okay on blondes...” She subsided, realizing she was chattering about nothing. “Sorry, I’m on full babble. Used to be that I’d eat when I was nervous. Potato chips are good nervous-eating food. Or cookies. Now I talk.”
He smiled.
Had she just confessed she used to gorge on junk food? “Oh, God, I’m still doing it, aren’t I?”
“Why are you nervous, Addy?”
I’m worried it’s going to hurt to say goodbye. She looked away from his gorgeous face and bit her lip. “Please put me out of my misery. What did you learn?”
He took her hand and led her to the sofa. His fingers were warm and sure, and she remembered them playing with her hair. She remembered being curled against him the other night in his bedroom. Then, she’d closed her eyes for just a moment and had let herself pretend again, pretend that he was hers.
Which was no way to prevent the hurt when she said goodbye.
So she slipped from his hold and perched on the edge of the cushions. The box of ledgers sat in their carton on the coffee table in front of her and she gestured with the hand that was missing his touch. “So...?”
“I’m no forensic accountant, but I’m pretty good at reading a balance sheet. From what I can tell, the company was in solid shape.”
“Oh.” Addy slumped back on the cushions. “So...so Max shut it down in order to shut Edith down.”
“Well—”
“Are you sure?” Addy asked. It was silly of her to feel such disappointment—thanks to her mother and father, she knew firsthand about lousy marriages. But...poor Edith. “Maybe you misread them. I imagine you went through them late at night, after a long day at work—”
“I’ve been a part-timer since two days ago, Addy.” Baxter was focused on her face. “I quit my job.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “I... Well... Wow.”
“Yeah, that pretty much sums up the response of everyone in the office and in the family. I went to work there out of expectation, not any interest of my own and I’d never given myself enough time off to realize that until...until you.”
“Me?”
“Until you made me start thinking with my heart, I didn’t look inside of it.” Then he scooted down the sofa and picked up her hand. His head bent, he idly played with her fingers.
Her own heart started to pound at that casual touch. And it made her absurdly proud to think she’d played some part in his change of direction if that’s what he truly needed. “Keep me posted on your next adventure then, will you?” She smiled as he looked up. “That’s what it’s going to be, you know. Now that you’ve given yourself permission to enjoy life instead of just working through it.”
Baxter stilled, and then he smiled, too, his head shaking ruefully. “Once again, I can only wonder at my idiocy of six years ago.”
“You should forget about that.”
“I can’t. Not when I need you near to remind me of abstract ideas like adventure and enjoyment.” His gaze turned serious. “Listen, Addy. I’m...I’m in love with you.” She jerked, and her hand almost slipped from his hold. But he firmed his grip and said those words a second time. “I’m in love with you, Addy March.”