Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,66
her back against the granite countertop and met his gaze. The blue eyes that had been stormy when she’d opened the door were now calm as glass. “We need to talk.”
He nodded, gathering his storming emotions close. He thought he’d been prepared. He hadn’t taken into account this intense desire—this need—for her and the life they’d begun to build together.
He’d known better than to let himself believe someone so wonderful could be his, yet he realized he’d let himself hope.
Now he had to convince her he didn’t care. A nearly impossible feat, considering he’d never wanted anyone as much as he wanted her.
It’s not about you, Keenan reminded himself. It was about what was best for her, for the woman he loved.
“I don’t understand,” she began, “why you didn’t return my calls. I was worried. Why did I have to learn from Kate that you were at Wally’s celebrating Joel’s birthday?”
Her tone was reasonable, but her imploring look sliced like a knife. Blood seeped from the fresh gash in his heart. Make it quick, he told himself. “Time got away from me.”
Her jaw lifted as her gaze skewered him. “Why didn’t you call?”
He lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “I got tied up with some things.”
She hissed out a breath.
“So tied up you couldn’t answer your phone?” The control on her voice snapped. “So tied up you couldn’t call me back?”
While he might yearn to rush to her, to gather her in his arms, to apologize for his thoughtless behavior, he couldn’t allow any crack to mar the insolent facade he’d affected. She must believe he didn’t care.
Keenan stayed seated and shrugged again.
“When you love someone, you owe them consideration, you—”
“Who said anything about love?” Though Keenan’s heart slammed against his ribs, his tone was slightly bored.
“I did.” Mitzi took a deep breath, lifted her chin, met his gaze. “I’m in love with you, Keenan. I’ve known it for some time, but wasn’t sure how to tell you.”
Joy leapt but he tamped it down and merely continued to stare.
Mitzi gave a little laugh. “Ah, this is your cue to say you love me, too.”
The words churned inside him, but Keenan kept his lips clamped tight. He would show her how much he loved her...by letting her go.
He rose on legs that trembled. “I enjoyed spending time with you but love wasn’t part of the deal. Only friendship. Remember?”
“Friends? That’s all I was to you? All I am to you?” Her voice rose and cracked.
“I never had a better friend than you.” The stampede of emotion welling up inside him clogged his voice. Kennan knew if he said more, he’d give himself away. Still, he leaned over and clumsily pressed his lips to her forehead. “Goodbye, Mitzi.”
Without looking back, he strode out the door and felt his heart split in two.
For Mitzi, the next few days were a blur. She worked hard, thankful for a busy surgery schedule and heavy patient load. She did her duty and showed Noah around town. He was a nice guy but when he asked if he could take her to dinner as a thank-you, she declined.
Her chest ached with a cold, dry pain that made her feel numb inside. Keenan hadn’t simply been a part of her life, he’d been her life. How would she go on without him?
For so many years she’d fought hard to get what she wanted. Her hard work and determination had paid off. She was a successful physician with a promising career. She had friends. But the life that had once seemed so rich and full, now felt hollow and empty.
She wanted more than a successful career and a comfortable life. She wanted love. Keenan’s love. She wanted to share her life with him, to have his babies, to grow old with him.
The only problem was he didn’t want her in the same way.
Mitzi glanced at the red dress lying across the bed. She’d purchased it weeks ago in anticipation of the awards ceremony at the Spring Gulch Country Club. When she’d tried it on, she’d envisioned accepting the award then going home and having the man she loved peel the sexy form-fitting cocktail dress off her, inch by inch.
He’d tease, she’d offer a scathing reply and they’d laugh, caught up in the conversational byplay they both enjoyed so much. They’d been perfectly matched. Or so she’d thought. Now he was out of her life.
She straightened her shoulders, thankful Keenan wouldn’t be at the event tonight. Mitzi knew it