reveal my deepest, darkest secret, and you’d never sell me out.”
She blinked up at him and slowed her pace. “You’ve always been a good friend to me, Cruz. Of course, I’d never sell you out.”
A friend, a friend. He liked all his friends. Meredith was right that they had always been good friends. He wanted more. He didn’t know what that would look like, or if he could really sacrifice his career if Meredith decided she’d date him, but he knew he wanted to go forward with her.
They walked quietly for a while, and then he dared to ask, “Only a friend?”
Meredith studied the trees and upped her pace again. Cruz stayed by her side, and the exertion was nothing compared to the intense training he usually did, but for some reason, he was out of breath. Maybe anticipation for her answer, or maybe it was simply the exhilaration of being near her.
“Yes,” she finally said in barely above a whisper.
“Why?” he asked, unable to stop himself.
Silence reigned, and then Meredith said, “Lots of reasons, Cruz.”
Lots of reasons. Cruz wanted to blame those reasons on him leaving again soon or that she’d heard rumors about him being a player, but deep in his heart he knew. His mom had constantly told him he was a “worthless waste of space” and a “real pain in her butt.” Those old hurts and insecurities reared up again, and he was having a hard time breathing. Lots of reasons. Other boys he knew were adored by their mothers. Stetson’s mom had believed the sun rose and set on his face. Not Cruz. He’d never been enough to make his mom happy. He’d tried throughout his childhood to make her laugh and to tease her out of being grumpy or saying mean things to him, Cat, and his dad. It had never worked. Why had he let himself dream he could be enough for Meredith?
He kicked at a rock, avoided her gaze, and suddenly knew he had to run. “I promised Cat I’d go swimming with her this morning. You okay if we turn back and jog home?”
“Sure.”
She followed his lead, and they silently jogged back to her house. She thanked him for staying last night, and he smiled and said, “No problem.” Then he loaded into his truck and hurried away. There were “lots of reasons” Meredith couldn’t be more than friends with him. He didn’t blame her, but oh how it hurt. He’d tried everything he knew to break her barriers down, and all she did was step on his heart. Maybe being friends was all he could hope for with Meredith.
Chapter Seven
Meredith called herself a chicken, and lots of other names in her head that her daddy would not be proud of, as she showered and headed into work. She always came into the shop early to bake the cookies and brownies for the day, make any dessert sauces they were low on, and get the waffle cones started. She was scheduled to work until five today, but maybe she’d stay until ten tonight and help the girls close up shop. Then she wouldn’t have to face Cruz again. Why couldn’t she stop being such a wimp and tell him she loved him? When he’d kissed her as a seventeen-year old, she’d already been in love with him, and no man had dared to compare to Cruz since. Why couldn’t she beg him to give up his playboy lifestyle and stay with her?
She hung her head and wiped down the counter for the fifth time. Cruz was great to flirt with and tease with, but he wouldn’t give up women all over the world and his amazing career for a slow-paced life with Meredith.
She wished there was something to distract her from her defeatist thoughts. Sadly, the shop was quiet right now, and she was alone until noon. It would get busy in the afternoon and evening. It always did in the summertime.
The door swung open with a happy little ding, and she straightened and smiled. “Zane! It’s so good to see you.”
Zane shuffled in, not quite able to meet her eye, with a shy smile on his face. Meredith knew he had an innocent crush on her because his mom had told her granny. Her dad had cautioned her not to encourage him as it could hurt his feelings if he fancied she had feelings for him, but how could she not be friendly with him? He was so kind and