he’s got strong opinions. He drives Randi crazy sometimes. But it’s reciprocated. She can be bossy and just as opinionated.” He pocketed his phone. “But we make a great team.”
“Oh,” she said uneasily.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she said unconvincingly.
“Carls, I know that look in your eyes.”
She winced. “I got a little jealous. I’m sorry. I know what you did before we got together is none of my business.”
“Jealous of Randi?”
She nodded, embarrassment rising in her eyes.
“I’m flattered, but don’t be jealous. She’s a cool chick, a marine archaeologist, and a vital part of my team. But there’s never been anything between us. Besides, I’m pretty sure she and Ford could light the ocean on fire if they ever stopped bickering long enough to notice.”
Relief eased the tension in her features, but she said, “I will probably hate myself for asking this, but I have to. You said you haven’t clicked with anyone in your travels and you haven’t had a real girlfriend. But clicking and girlfriend or boyfriend can mean different things to different people. Have you traveled with a woman as a…partner?”
Holding her gaze, he said, “I was honest about never having a meaningful intimate connection with any other woman. If I was hanging out in one place for a few days, I might hook up with someone a time or two, but that was just, you know, hooking up. There was a woman I surfed with one summer, and we road-tripped up the coast, surfed there for a few days with a group of people we met up with. But she wasn’t my adventure partner. She was just some chick out having fun.”
Carly swallowed hard, and he recognized the hurt in her eyes.
He took off his gloves and cradled her face in his hands, wanting her full attention. “Listen to me, Carly. If I didn’t make it clear before, let me make it clear now. I tried to forget what I felt for you at first just to save my sanity. But it was impossible, so I stopped trying. But I never tried to replace you. Even at nineteen I knew you were irreplaceable. My heart has always been yours.”
“Okay,” she said softly.
“You can ask me anything, Carly, and I’ll always be honest.”
“You can ask me anything, too.”
“I didn’t hold back this afternoon, did I?”
“No,” she said with a smile. “And I loved that.”
“If we each try to figure out what the other did for every minute we were apart, we’d lose our minds. You’re mine now, and that’s what I’m focusing on. But you know me. When we’re at the bar tonight, if I have a question about any of the guys, I’ll ask. Speaking of which, what time do you want to meet your friends?” He glanced at the clock. It was seven, and they still needed to clean up the lab, take Bandit back to the inn, and get themselves cleaned up.
“Oh my gosh, I forgot. I really want to keep working, but I also want you to meet everyone.” She glanced at the concretion, clearly torn. “I want to get that artifact out so bad, or at least get closer to figuring out exactly what it is. We only have until Sunday. That’s not that much time for this type of work. Can we come back tomorrow? Do you have time? Is that okay? Wait…I’m totally inviting myself to do more work on this. I’m sorry. Was this a one-time thing?” she asked apologetically. “If so, that’s okay. I had such an amazing time. I can’t thank you enough for reminding me how much I love this type of work. And doing it with you…”
She was talking so fast, he had to laugh. “This wasn’t a one-time thing. We can meet any time you want. What time do you get off work tomorrow?”
“Four. But Quinn only works at the bank until noon tomorrow. She’s supposed to come in later in the afternoon, but I’ll ask her to come in early. There is no way I’m passing up my chance to work on this with you. Can I meet you here around noon?”
“Is that your sneaky way of hinting for a nooner?” He stepped closer, enjoying the flush on her cheeks. “If so, we should probably meet at the inn. I don’t want to give Noah a show.”
“For a guy I had to push into giving up his virginity, you sure think about sex a lot.”