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nbsp; A short while later, they shared fluffy Spanish omelets made with ingredients she’d obviously found in his refrigerator and delicious hot coffee.
“You make a mean omelet,” he said, complimenting her while shoveling the last of his breakfast into his mouth. “It’s delicious.”
“Thanks. I used to cook breakfast for my dad when I was growing up. He liked my Spanish omelet so I thought you might, too.”
Conversation remained light, topics like Boston weather and what time he had to leave for work flowing easily between them.
Mike waited until they’d finished eating to bring up the discussion he knew they had to have. And when he couldn’t stall anymore, he decided it was time. “Amber…”
“Mike…”
He chuckled at their timing. “You first.”
She met his gaze. “Well, I came here on the spur of the moment and I didn’t pack my things. I don’t have a suitcase or clothes…” She studied him with doe eyes, making him feel responsible for her yet again.
And damned if despite it all, he didn’t like it. He exhaled a slow groan and weighed the possibilities. He could give her his credit card and be taken for a fool again or he could hand her limited cash and hope she was telling the truth.
“I’ll give you some money and you can pick up what you need for a couple of days.” He saw the opening for a serious conversation and took it. “As soon as I have some free time, I’m going to look into a quick divorce.” That had been to the point, he thought, disgusted with his lack of tact.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin and rose to clear his plates off the table. Maybe if he kept busy, he wouldn’t see the hurt in her expression or shock in her eyes. He sure as hell had the bitter taste of the words on his tongue.
Amber wasn’t surprised by Mike’s declaration, but despite his intentions, she wasn’t letting him go that easily. In order for her to see if she and her husband had a future, she needed some time being his wife.
While making breakfast, she’d formulated a plan that would put herself in the center of his life and give him a chance to get to know the real Amber.
With a little Las Vegas luck, by the time she was finished, he wouldn’t be able to let her go. “Let me know what you find out,” she said, not using the word divorce.
“I will.”
“Can I borrow your car?” she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. “What for? You’re in the middle of the city. You can take a cab or the subway anywhere you want to go.”
“Even to visit your father?” she asked. Edward had seemed like a man in need of family or a friend. She understood Mike didn’t have the time during the day, but she did.
He shook his head. “Oh, no. There’s no reason for you to go stirring up things at home.”
“Okay.” She let out a forced sigh. She’d comply with his request. For now. “Let me have the keys in case. I’m used to having a car and I don’t want to feel trapped.” She raised an eyebrow and held out one hand.
It was a test. She only wanted to see how far he’d extend his faith in her. She was perfectly willing to take public transportation wherever she needed to go. She just wanted some little indication of trust between them.
“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth, handing her his car keys.
“Thank you!” She jumped up and without thinking, kissed him on the cheek.
The spicy scent of soap from his recent shower and his delicious aftershave seeped into her pores. A warm, fuzzy feeling overcame her and she let her lips linger against his freshly shaven skin.
He didn’t move, remaining frozen in place. She heard her heart beating inside her chest and with everything inside her, she wished he’d turn his face so their lips could meet and break the emotional barrier he’d so obviously erected between them.
Not even sex last night, which had been incredible, had thawed him out this morning. He was attracted to her and enjoyed things between them when he let himself, but he was angry at himself because of it. And, of course, he was still furious with her.
She’d been trying hard to ignore the deliberate distance, but now she admitted to herself how much it hurt. How badly she wanted his forgiveness.
Instead of kissing her, he cleared his throat. “I have to call my partner and tell him to pick me up on his way to work.” He rose, breaking the connection that had been way too short.
She forced a nod. “Have a good day.”