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family.”

Chapter Four
    C olor faded from Emily’s face, leaving behind a vulnerability etched in her delicate features. Javy swore beneath his breath. He could have kicked himself for blurting out what he hadn’t realized until then was a secret.
    “Connor gave us the money to save the restaurant after a fire destroyed the kitchen. I’m sorry, Emily,” he repeated. He’d had no right to attack her when she’d only been trying to help. When she’d been…
    Right , his conscience taunted, but he thrust the thought aside. Emily didn’t understand. The restaurant was his mother’s heart and soul, her last, best tie to her husband. Making changes or not making changes was up to her.
    And even though Javy wished she trusted in him, she didn’t. At least not the way she had in his father.
    Not the way Emily believed in him .
    He’d seen the faith and confidence glowing in her eyes, andit warmed something deep inside his chest, lighting fire to the dreams he’d been denying. But hadn’t he learned already that dreams were like quicksand? Seemingly real and solid on the surface, but completely unable to bear the weight of reality? He’d had too many dissolve beneath his feet.
    And Emily Wilson, with her turquoise eyes and glorious golden hair, was as much of a dream as anyone he’d ever met. But it was the way she got under his skin, the way she made him want to believe in something more , that made her so seductive—and so dangerous.
    But none of that was her fault. He had no excuse for treating her the way he had, and she had every right to be backing toward the door away from him. “Emily, wait.”
    “I have to go.”
    She slipped out the door before he could stop her, but he caught up with her outside. Midmorning sunlight rode a wave of heat, blasting them both, and Javy squinted against the glare. “At least let me apologize.”
    “There’s no need,” she insisted as she slid her purse strap over one shoulder. Looking as cool and remote as some Hollywood glamour girl from the past, she added, “You didn’t do anything.”
    Then why did her casual absolution make him feel that much worse?
    “Look, I don’t blame you for being pissed off.”
    “I’m not. Really,” she insisted, and Javy could see she was telling the truth. A shadow of hurt lingered, but none of the fury he’d expected. “What would be the point?”
    “The point?” he echoed. “The point is to yell and scream and let it all out until you feel better.”
    Emily sighed. “I’m fine, Javy. That was years ago. Connor was right. I had already made up my mind that our relationship was moving too fast and that I wasn’t ready to run off with him. I’m not surprised he gave the money to your family.That’s the kind of friend he is. Now he and Kelsey are completely in love, and everything has worked out for the best, so why bother getting upset?”
    “Because none of that changes the fact that your family went to Connor behind your back, and they kept it a secret all these years, until some loudmouthed jerk threw it in your face when you were only trying to help.”
    Her lips twitched in what he thought might be a real smile, but she ducked her head before he could tell for sure. “I happen to like that loudmouthed jerk, so that makes it hard to be angry with him.”
    “Yeah, well, the jerk likes you, too, and he’d feel better if you did get angry, seeing how he deserves it.”
    “You don’t, and I’m glad you told me. It makes me feel better about the decision I’ve made.”
    “What decision?”
    “I want to move out of my parents’ house.”
    Javy’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Are you sure you don’t want to think about that first?”
    “I have been thinking about it. This isn’t about what happened with Connor. Obviously, I was going to move in with Todd after the wedding. I don’t see why all my plans should change simply because my fiancé ended up being a liar and a cheat.”
    Afraid she might be getting in