Evers & Afters (Dare With Me #2) - J.H. Croix Page 0,62

say.

He lifted a shoulder in a light shrug. “We all go through hard things. It’s part of life, I suppose.”

I nodded, because that was obviously true. After another few beats of quiet, he said, “So, maybe things have been vague, but this isn’t just a fling for me.”

I stared at him, hope beating out a little tap dance inside of my heart. “Um, ok-aaay, but it’s not like we expected this. I mean, you did kind of try to steer clear of me for years. That’s what you said,” I mumbled uncertainly.

I felt as if I were stumbling and tripping inside, not sure how to navigate this conversation at all.

Elias reached for my hand again. His grip was warm, and I wanted to burst into tears and fall into his arms. But, I absolutely didn’t want to be that foolish.

“Yeah, so maybe I did try to steer clear. Now that I told you how my last relationship went, maybe you can understand I was a little gun shy and a lot bitter. Maybe I didn’t let myself think about it, but I knew there was a chance I would fall hard for you. It’s turned out to be more than a chance.”

My heart was knocking hard in my chest, and I really didn’t know how to handle any of this. “I do understand but I’m a little confused right now.” I paused, swallowing, trying to push through the logjam of emotion in my throat. It ached. “I’m not sure what the best thing is for me. This whole thing with your ex freaked me out more than I expected, and I need to figure some things out for myself,” I explained haltingly. “And, I’m really busy. I’m closing early on the loan for Misty Mountain.”

Ugh. This was awful. I didn’t know what to think or do, and here I was talking about being freaking busy.

Elias’s eyes searched mine, and it felt like he was trying to climb inside my heart. I wanted to close the shutters on all the windows of my battered heart and hide.

“You’re busy?” His eyes were warm and understanding, and it only made me feel worse than I already did.

“Yeah.” My voice came out in a cracked whisper.

“Okay, sweetheart.” His thumb brushed along my wrist before he released my hand. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

Just then, the sound of tires on gravel reached us, and I glanced at the clock. My official opening time was only one minute away. He pushed away from the counter and dipped his head to brush a kiss across my lips. The brief point of contact sent electricity sizzling through me.

“I’ll be in touch. You can call me whenever you need me.”

With that, Elias left and I sat down on that plastic bucket again and gave myself one minute to cry. I opened five minutes late because one minute wasn’t enough.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Elias

“Thank you,” Sandra said through the phone line.

“It was really no problem,” I replied, pausing to stuff my jacket in my backpack as I got ready to leave the plane hangar for the evening.

“I know you aren’t the father, and I’ll call as soon as we have the official results.”

“I hope this helps resolve the problems with Greg’s family.”

“It should.” There was a pause, and Sandra cleared her throat. “I know it’s been a while, and I can’t change the past, but I want you to know I’m sorry again.”

“Apology accepted,” I replied, meaning it. I had let go of what happened with Sandra, and perhaps I would always be a little bitter about my old friend’s involvement, but we all do stupid shit.

“Now, I hope you won’t let that hold you back from finding the right girl. Are you serious about that woman I saw you with?” she asked.

I thought about Cammi—her blue eyes, the way she somehow carried the subtle scent of flowers, her toughness underneath her sweetness, and the way it felt to hold her in my arms. “Yeah, I am.”

“Well then, I know you’re a good man, so take good care of her.”

With that, we ended the call, and I headed over to yoga class. When I drove by Misty Mountain Café and saw Cammi’s SUV, I resisted the urge to turn in and see how things were going. It had only been a few days, and I knew she needed space, so fucking dammit, I was going to give it to her.

The other afternoon, I’d gone to get another massage, consciously hoping that maybe, just