Point of Danger (Triple Threat #1) - Irene Hannon Page 0,35
wedding six months ago. Adam was diligent about staying in touch, but it wasn’t like the old days when they could call each other up at four o’clock and book an impromptu dinner together.
“I think you’re nuts.”
Brent forced a lightness he didn’t feel into his tone. “Don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel.”
“You know how I feel. I’ve been up front about it ever since you declared a moratorium on dating.”
“I date.”
“Only if you’re pressured into it for a couples-oriented social event. And never the same woman twice.”
“So? I don’t want to lead anyone on.”
“Where does that leave you with Eve Reilly?”
Good question.
Once this case wrapped up, he’d be free to ask her out—but unless his instincts were failing, a date with her would simply whet his appetite for more.
And that could undermine his resolve to walk a wide circle around commitments.
They rounded the last curve in the path and entered the home stretch.
“Assuming I was interested—and I’m not admitting I am—I don’t have to make that call yet.”
“You want my advice?”
“If I say no, will you back off?”
“What do you think?” An elbow connected with his rib cage, and his friend chuckled.
He gave a protracted sigh. “Fine. Say your piece.”
“I’ll give it to you in a nutshell. The situation with Karen was unfortunate. I know she was traumatized, and I know you were freaked out by her reaction. I get that. But not every female is incapable of dealing with risk. In my experience, women in general are incredibly strong.”
Again, an image of Eve materialized in his mind. She fell into the strong category—and she had spunk and smarts to match.
But it didn’t matter how strong she was. Putting the kind of life-and-death stress his job entailed on someone he loved would test their fortitude—and it would be selfish.
Period.
Even if most of his colleagues agreed with Adam’s viewpoint—and lived their lives accordingly.
But they hadn’t been through what he’d experienced. And he never wanted to go down that road again, or cause anyone that kind of emotional distress.
“Are you thinking about what I said, or did you tune me out?” Adam pulled slightly ahead.
“I didn’t tune you out.”
“But you’re not reconsidering your position.”
He didn’t respond.
“I’ll assume my take is correct.” Adam blew out a breath. “But I’m betting the right woman could change your mind, if you gave her a chance.”
Brent finished the last hundred yards in silence, and Adam let the subject drop as they cooled down and parted for the night.
Yet as he drove home alone in the dark . . . as he pictured the bare-bones condo in desperate need of a few decorating touches that would give it warmth and personality . . . his friend’s last comment replayed in his mind.
New as Eve was in his life, his intuition told him she might be the woman who could change his mind about a serious relationship.
If he could ever put the specter of Karen’s legacy to rest.
Meg’s radio station gig wasn’t working for him.
Steve shoved aside the drapes in the living room and scanned the street in front of the house again.
No sign of her, and it was after nine.
She should have been here to greet him when he got home from his Wednesday bowling-and-pizza night. He expected that—and she knew it. If a man couldn’t count on his wife to put him first and keep his home running smoothly, what could he count on?
His dad hadn’t been right about much, but he’d nailed the role of wives. Their primary job was to keep their husbands happy.
A job his mother had failed at—big-time—thanks to that corporate position she’d taken. Once she had her own money, she hadn’t wanted—or needed—her husband or son anymore.
He fisted his hand and kicked the baseboard.
After his experience with dear old Mom, it was no wonder he’d vowed to someday find a woman who could be controlled—and who would never be a flight risk.
Meg had fit the bill.
Or she had, until he’d relented after the miscarriage and let her apply for that stupid job at the radio station he’d never expected her to get.
How could he have known Eve Reilly would intervene, convincing management to give his wife the position over better-qualified candidates—and putting ideas in her head about exercise classes and dieting and becoming more active in her church?
He gritted his teeth and muttered a few choice words he’d picked up years ago from his dad. Thanks to Miss Radio Personality, his wife was starting down the same path