“It’s a top tier firm. Very prestigious. One of my short list. There’s a big possibility I won’t get the job.”
“But if you do get it, you’re gone.”
She gave a What can I do? shrug.
There was plenty she could do. With the means at her disposal, she could stay if she really wanted to. But he knew how much she wanted to succeed on her own terms, without the help of her family, so he didn’t say a word. How could he, when he admired the hell out of her choice to do exactly that? He’d known her leaving was a very real possibility when he decided to pursue her again. But he’d thought he’d have more time to convince her that staying here was the right move. As usual he’d miscalculated.
He sighed. “I know how hard you’ve worked for this.” Sometimes it was a real pisser to be able to see both sides of a situation.
“I like you, Reed. I’ve always liked you. But I just don’t think it’s smart to start something when I might not be around to finish it.”
“So, what exactly was tonight then?”
“I don’t know. Part business. Part apology. Part what if?”
He nodded, though he didn’t know what he was agreeing with. His mind was full of his own what ifs. What if he hadn’t said the wrong thing at the lake? What if they’d had the last three months to deepen the connection between them? Would she still be planning to leave?
They were useless questions. He had; they hadn’t; and she was. That was reality.
At least she hadn’t called it a mistake.
Looking over at her, he hated the mix of concern and sorrow on her face. “You aren’t going to start avoiding me again, are you?”
Even in the moonlight, he could see her blush.
“No. Quite apart from the fact that I still have a job to do, I’d like to be friends.”
The whole idea left a sour taste in his mouth. But it wasn’t like he wanted to hurt her by saying no.
“Sure.” He rose, letting the blanket slide off his lap. “It’s late. I should be getting on home.”
Cecily unfolded and dug out her key. “See you on Monday?”
“Yeah. You know where to find me.” Reed waited until she’d unlocked the door, then took a step back, lifting a hand in a completely lame wave before shoving both hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Night.”
He could feel Cecily’s gaze on him as he walked to his car and wondered what she was thinking. Was she second guessing her decision? No, that was probably wishful thinking.
One foot in front of the other. Do not open your mouth and embarrass yourself any further.
His phone buzzed with an incoming text as he slid into the driver’s seat. Pulling it out, he found a message from Selina.
You’re quiet tonight.
Because I’ve been spending time with a real girl, not a figment of technology and imagination. For all the good it’s done me.
A light went on in the house and Cecily shut the door. He cranked the car, staring at the phone until the screen went dark. He didn’t want this. Didn’t want a fake girlfriend. Didn’t want the lie. He wanted the woman he’d just walked away from. And how was she to know that if he didn’t man up and show her?
Reed turned off the engine and sprinted across the yard.
Cecily opened the door before he could knock. “Reed? Did you forget something?”
“Yeah.” He stepped inside, spearing his hands into her hair and claiming her mouth before she could say another word.
Her body gave one quick jolt, her hands coming up to his shoulders. Reed braced to be pushed away, maybe slapped. Then she shuddered and opened to him on a sexy little moan, moving in and wrapping her arms around his neck. Reed kicked the door shut and backed her up against it, caging her with his body, while he devoured her mouth. This wasn’t the slow, languid exploration at the lake. It was pure, unadulterated wanting. He had just enough control to keep his hands in her hair, rather than sprinting over the body she pressed against his.
When he felt even that thread begin to fray, he gentled the kiss and forced himself to ease back, pressing his brow to hers as his breath heaved, fast and unsteady. “I don’t wanna be friends. I’d rather have this time with you now and be torn up when you go than have nothing at all.”
“Sweetie, if you don’t say yes to him after that display, I’m checking you into the nearest mental hospital.”