Read Online Worth the Trouble (St. James #2) by Jamie Beck - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jamie Beck
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her particular kind of crazy?
Even now he nearly turned around and ran back to her despite the fact he knew she’d probably spin on her heel and stalk off. He shook off his frustration and joined Amy, who remained seated, sipping her coffee.
Unlike Cat, Amy welcomed him with an unguarded smile. Last night he’d been glad to prove he hadn’t simply blown her off in favor of another woman. Better yet, Amy hadn’t pestered him with annoying questions about what had happened between him and Cat. They’d simply enjoyed another hour of mild flirting before calling it a night, at which point Hank had walked her to her room and kissed her goodnight.
Easygoing, friendly Amy didn’t play games. But she also didn’t make his heart pound in his chest, get him tongue-tied, or inspire dirty fantasies. Kissing her, while certainly pleasant, wouldn’t remain burned on his brain for months or years. Precisely why he hadn’t accepted her invitation into her room.
Maybe he was as screwed up as Cat, who couldn’t seem to make up her mind between flirting with him and pushing him away. But unlike Cat, he didn’t intend to live his life at the mercy of his own insanity.
Instinct argued that Cat’s distant, sometimes biting, behavior was a protective façade—for what purpose, he had no idea. Yet, in a war between instinct and experience, he’d be an idiot to dismiss her past rejection.
“My ferry leaves soon,” Amy said. “I’ve got to finish packing now.”
“Okay.” Tossing his napkin on the table, he stood and pulled her chair out for her. “It’s been nice meeting you.”
“Maybe we can see each other back in New York or Connecticut?” she asked with hope.
“Maybe.” Say yes , Hank thought right before he shot her down. “Unfortunately, I don’t have much free time. That’s not an excuse, just the truth.”
“Well, if you find the time, you’ve got my number.” Her sweet smile failed to entice him, which perturbed him to no end.
“Thanks, Amy.” He kissed her cheek. “Drive safely.”
As she walked away, he sat down to finish his meal and savor a second cup of black coffee. Sunlight spilled throughout the veranda, warming his shoulders and easing the tension in his body. He stretched out his long legs and took another bite of a bagel and lox. Unlike the other guests, he wasn’t in a rush to end his minivacation.
Out of nowhere, Vivi appeared.
“I swear I’d forget my head if it weren’t stuck on my body!” She grabbed the purse hanging on the chair she’d vacated earlier. “Why are you sitting here alone?”
“Not finished eating.”
Vivi’s eyes darted around the porch before she pulled a chair up beside him. “I saw Amy in the lobby. Did you two make plans to see each other again?”
“You’re relentless, woman.” Hank smiled and shook his head.
“Among other things.” Vivi pushed some of her perpetually tangled hair behind her shoulder and stared straight at him. Her clear, violet eyes scanned his face. “Promise me this, Hank. Don’t make the right choice for all the wrong reasons.”
What the hell did that mean? His face must’ve broadcast his confusion, because Vivi rolled her eyes.
“Don’t settle, Hank. Don’t you dare settle for a love lacking in passion. It’s not fair to you or anyone else.” She nodded decisively before squeezing his hand and waltzing away. He chuckled because she looked like a kid who thought she just shared a big secret.
Of course passion mattered, but in the long run, maybe loyalty, consideration, and kindness mattered more. Life was tough. Passion, while exciting, didn’t always burn so brightly in the face of real obstacles.
Hank cringed as an image of Cat’s earlier crestfallen expression popped into his mind. He probably shouldn’t have stormed off and left her in the hallway. If he were smarter, he’d take advantage of those moments when her armor cracked—pry it open and get the answers he wanted.
But ultimately he’d
Even now he nearly turned around and ran back to her despite the fact he knew she’d probably spin on her heel and stalk off. He shook off his frustration and joined Amy, who remained seated, sipping her coffee.
Unlike Cat, Amy welcomed him with an unguarded smile. Last night he’d been glad to prove he hadn’t simply blown her off in favor of another woman. Better yet, Amy hadn’t pestered him with annoying questions about what had happened between him and Cat. They’d simply enjoyed another hour of mild flirting before calling it a night, at which point Hank had walked her to her room and kissed her goodnight.
Easygoing, friendly Amy didn’t play games. But she also didn’t make his heart pound in his chest, get him tongue-tied, or inspire dirty fantasies. Kissing her, while certainly pleasant, wouldn’t remain burned on his brain for months or years. Precisely why he hadn’t accepted her invitation into her room.
Maybe he was as screwed up as Cat, who couldn’t seem to make up her mind between flirting with him and pushing him away. But unlike Cat, he didn’t intend to live his life at the mercy of his own insanity.
Instinct argued that Cat’s distant, sometimes biting, behavior was a protective façade—for what purpose, he had no idea. Yet, in a war between instinct and experience, he’d be an idiot to dismiss her past rejection.
“My ferry leaves soon,” Amy said. “I’ve got to finish packing now.”
“Okay.” Tossing his napkin on the table, he stood and pulled her chair out for her. “It’s been nice meeting you.”
“Maybe we can see each other back in New York or Connecticut?” she asked with hope.
“Maybe.” Say yes , Hank thought right before he shot her down. “Unfortunately, I don’t have much free time. That’s not an excuse, just the truth.”
“Well, if you find the time, you’ve got my number.” Her sweet smile failed to entice him, which perturbed him to no end.
“Thanks, Amy.” He kissed her cheek. “Drive safely.”
As she walked away, he sat down to finish his meal and savor a second cup of black coffee. Sunlight spilled throughout the veranda, warming his shoulders and easing the tension in his body. He stretched out his long legs and took another bite of a bagel and lox. Unlike the other guests, he wasn’t in a rush to end his minivacation.
Out of nowhere, Vivi appeared.
“I swear I’d forget my head if it weren’t stuck on my body!” She grabbed the purse hanging on the chair she’d vacated earlier. “Why are you sitting here alone?”
“Not finished eating.”
Vivi’s eyes darted around the porch before she pulled a chair up beside him. “I saw Amy in the lobby. Did you two make plans to see each other again?”
“You’re relentless, woman.” Hank smiled and shook his head.
“Among other things.” Vivi pushed some of her perpetually tangled hair behind her shoulder and stared straight at him. Her clear, violet eyes scanned his face. “Promise me this, Hank. Don’t make the right choice for all the wrong reasons.”
What the hell did that mean? His face must’ve broadcast his confusion, because Vivi rolled her eyes.
“Don’t settle, Hank. Don’t you dare settle for a love lacking in passion. It’s not fair to you or anyone else.” She nodded decisively before squeezing his hand and waltzing away. He chuckled because she looked like a kid who thought she just shared a big secret.
Of course passion mattered, but in the long run, maybe loyalty, consideration, and kindness mattered more. Life was tough. Passion, while exciting, didn’t always burn so brightly in the face of real obstacles.
Hank cringed as an image of Cat’s earlier crestfallen expression popped into his mind. He probably shouldn’t have stormed off and left her in the hallway. If he were smarter, he’d take advantage of those moments when her armor cracked—pry it open and get the answers he wanted.
But ultimately he’d
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