the door, but instead of opening it for me, he paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you’d met me first?”
“Luke, I get that you don’t like losing out to Evan, but I’m telling you, the feud or whatever is going on between the two of you didn’t have anything to do with his job offer.”
“I’m not talking about the job.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
He shifted closer. “You. I like you, Fiona. You’re beautiful and you’re kind of a badass. To be honest, when I saw you in the diner the other day, I couldn’t decide whether to offer you a job or ask you out. I’m afraid I made the wrong call.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m really not looking for a relationship right now.”
“I know you said you’re not sure how long you’re staying. But dinner wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
I hesitated while his eyes dipped to my mouth. What was this really about? Did he actually like me, or was I just a toy he was trying to take away from another kid he didn’t like?
And how did I feel about him?
It was impossible not to compare him to Evan. Broody and quiet versus friendly. Luke was attractive, sure, but he didn’t light a spark inside me the way Evan did.
But there was also no indication that Evan was interested in me. My little fantasies were fun, but silly and unrealistic.
Still.
I was taking too long to answer and the next thing I knew, Luke’s lips were on mine.
Oh shit. Luke Haven was kissing me.
His kiss was restrained, like he didn’t want to crowd me. But it also felt uncertain. Which made sense. He was going out on a limb here. Of course he’d be uncertain about my response.
Which, so far, was basically nothing. I wasn’t kissing him back, but I wasn’t stopping him either.
He pulled away and placed a knuckle beneath my chin, tilting my face up. “What do you say?”
“Luke, I’m sorry, but I just don’t—”
“He doesn’t own you.”
“No one said he did.”
“You want to work for him, fine. But that doesn’t have to mean he gets all of you. Don’t let him dictate your personal life.”
I stepped back. “Do you see him standing here? Because I don’t. Evan Bailey isn’t dictating anything. And why do I feel like you’re only doing this to try to take me away from him? So you can win.”
“That’s not what’s going on.”
“Really? He hires me, so what better way to stick it to him than try to date me.”
“If you think he’d do anything differently, you’re kidding yourself. Ask him about Jill.”
“Look, you guys have issues, fine. But you can’t use me to get back at him.”
“Fiona, I—”
“No. I have to go.”
He was still in front of the door, and for a second, I wondered if I’d have to ask him to move before he’d let me leave. But he opened the door and stepped aside.
I didn’t know what else to say to him, so I walked out without looking back.
An uncomfortable mix of feelings swirled through me as I drove out of town. I’d come here expecting Luke to be disappointed in my answer. Maybe even mad at Evan.
I hadn’t expected him to kiss me.
And I really hadn’t expected to be kissed by an attractive man and feel… nothing.
What would have happened if I’d met Luke first? What if Luke Haven had been the name I’d thought of, and I’d called him instead of Evan? Would I have become friends with Luke? Maybe. Would I have taken a job in his shop? Quite possibly.
Would I have been attracted to him?
No. Even with a different build-up, that kiss still wouldn’t have done anything for me.
Besides, I had no illusions that Luke actually liked me. Or if he did, his get-back-at-Evan motivations were just as strong as any attraction he felt for me. And I had no interest in being a game piece in their rivalry.
I turned onto Evan’s private road, my car bouncing as I climbed the hill. The shop came into view and as if he’d heard me coming, he wandered out of the garage, that broody brow furrow on full display.
This was going to be interesting.
23
Fiona
I parked in front of the shop and got out, trying to pretend like I didn’t have the memory of Luke’s kiss on my lips. Seeing Luke, being near him, even being kissed by him hadn’t made me feel much of anything. Not in any of