I thought for a moment. “No. But she probably doesn’t know it.”
Sinclair gave me a look that said I was being crazy. “See, people aren’t going to stare and point at the old lady with the hot new teacher. When I was at your place, you two looked really good together. I’d have never thought about the age difference and I know you.”
Was she right? Was I being too worried about this?
“Listen, if he doesn’t care, why should anyone else?” she asked.
“What happens when the age difference does come into play. What about when he’s forty and I’m fifty-three and he wants a younger, less saggy woman.”
Sinclair laughed. “First, if he’s that type, you should let him go. No woman needs that kind of man in her life. Second, the fact that you’re concerned about your relationship with him that far in the future suggests that this is more than just a passing fancy. One thing I’ve learned from my own relationship, as well as watching those around me, is that you have to grab onto love, and nurture and guard it for all you’re worth. That’s where true happiness comes from. If Stark ended up taking all of Salvation, I’d be pissed, but I’d be okay as long as I had Wyatt, Alyssa and my family.”
I nodded. What she said made sense, even if I still struggled with allowing my heart to love Tucker.
17
Tucker
I wasn’t sure what to make of Holly’s leaving the evening I’d made love to her. I wouldn’t say she was distant, but I was still uncertain as to whether or not her rushing off was a way to put up a wall again.
While she was out, Brooke called to chat. I was glad for the distraction.
“I stopped by your place the other night but you were out,” she said. “Hot date?”
“I’ve been staying with Holly.” I got the feeling Holly only wanted Mrs. Reynold to think we were married, but not the whole town. Still, she’d told Sinclair, and Brooke was my best friend, and I could trust her.
“Ooh, things are moving in the right direction. That sounds good.”
“It isn’t bad.”
She must have caught my uncertain tone. “What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Have you told her how you feel?” she asked.
I sat at the dining table, remembering how sexy Holly was the first night I had her there. And then how quickly she’d turned cool.
“She has no doubt about my interest. And I think she shares it, she just doesn’t want to.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The thing is, why am I hitting my head against the wall with this?” Sure the sex was spectacular, but I didn’t want only that and so far that was all she’d been willing to give. “If she is resistant, why am I still interested?”
“Maybe it’s wanting what you can’t have?” Brooke suggested.
“I don’t think so. I mean you stuck with Mo when he’d kept pushing you away.”
“True, but I’m hard headed.”
I laughed. “That’s true.”
“Look, I can’t tell you what’s going on with Holly, but if you have real feelings, you should stick it out.”
“And what if she ends up breaking my heart?” I rubbed my hand over my chest, like I’d somehow protect my heart.
“Well, if you give up now, you won’t know if maybe she’d come around. Do you know why she’s resistant?”
“I suspect it’s because her jerk fiancé left her at the altar.”
“Ouch. Once bitten, twice shy, eh. She probably just needs more time and reassurance. I know you’ve got that in you.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.”