had pushed him away. The smartest thing she could
do was keep her hands to herself, then immediately after the
wedding, return to the city.
There was a huge difference between lust and love,
she reasoned. She loved Dane like a friend, but she lusted after
him like a lover. Lust could be controlled, but love—
He reached her, his hands in his jacket pockets, his
face void of expression. “Your Grinchness. Still talking to
me?”
The tightness in her stomach eased and the pinching
sensation between her brows went away. “Always.”
“So what are you doing standing out here in the
cold? I thought you were catching a ride to the restaurant with Mr.
and Mrs. G.”
“They disappeared. I was going to go out to the
garage to see if the car was gone, then thought better of it.” She
pulled a face which at least got a chuckle out of him. “Then my
sister called and with the icy sidewalk, I didn’t want to get
distracted and fall.”
He glanced down at the sidewalk, then raised his
gaze to her face. “We can take my truck, or if you want to walk,
I’ll walk with you.”
There was something there. She knew it by the way he
held out one hand to her as though he had all of the time in the
world to wait for her. She put her hand in his. Warmth skittered up
her arm, infused her body, and then he tucked her hand into his
pocket and held on.
“Stay close. I don’t want you to fall.”
Silence drifted between them. They inched over the
ice together, with him solid and steady beside her, until they
reached dry cement again. And still he kept hold of her. She peered
up at his serious profile. “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t
mean to make you uncomfortable.”
His gaze slid toward her, and she saw a moment of
heat in his eyes before he blinked it away. “You didn’t. You — uh —
surprised me, that’s all. I didn’t expect it, not after all these
years.”
“Have I ever told you that you remind me of my
Dad?”
He winced. “Way to stroke a guy’s ego.”
“It’s a good thing, really,” she reassured him.
“He’s patient and understanding and usually lets Mom have her
way.”
“You mean, he spoils her.” He faced forward again.
“Is that what you want? A man who spoils you?”
“Good heavens no. But the patience and understanding
is...” She stared at his profile, unable to put her feelings into
words, and when he finally turned to look at her again, his gaze
dropped to her mouth.
“Seductive,” he finished for her, as though he could
read her mind. With a clench of his jaw, he faced forward
again.
Her heart thudded once, twice, and expanded in her
chest.
Beside her, Dane fell silent and she wondered if her
sister had been right. Had he had a crush on her all those years
ago? Had she been too blind to see what was right in front of
her?
They hit another icy patch on the sidewalk and his
hold on her hand tightened. “Hang on so you don’t fall.”
“Thanks.” She smiled up at him. Yes, friends
forever. But could she control her desire and just be his friend
when she wanted so much more? “So what have you been up to since
this morning?”
“Grandpa wanted to make sure his clothes were ready
for tomorrow. How about you?”
“Grandma spent the afternoon fussing with everything
in her closet except her wedding dress. I can’t believe how nervous
she is.” The sole of her boot slipped against the ice and as Dane
grabbed her by the arm to steady her, they ended up face to
face.
She caught her breath.
Just like when she’d set eyes on him yesterday
morning, he looked tall and broad and strong.
There were times over the years when she had cursed
him, and times when she had loved him, but through it all their
friendship had remained. No matter what happened after today, she
knew he’d always be her friend.
Her heart skipped a beat, only to do double time in
her chest. She focused on keeping the moment light. “Just can’t
keep your hands off me, can you?”
He looked down
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