“I like Joyce. She seems like a great lady.”
“She is. I don’t know what I’d do without her,” Carly admitted as he opened the restaurant door for her. “She is a life-saver.”
“My guess is that you’d manage,” he said, smiling as she hesitated outside the restaurant entrance. “You seem the type to make things work no matter how much stress you endure in the process.”
Which was one of the biggest compliments Stone could have given to her. She wanted to be independent, to handle things herself. It was what her mother had done, while healthy and capable, and it was what Carly strived for.
“Thank you,” she told him and meant it as they entered the restaurant. Carly’s stomach twisted at what she knew was likely to come. Or maybe she’d get lucky and all the people who’d known her would have moved on, just as she had. After all, she’d not been inside the restaurant for five years. “If I’ve come across as whiny—” she glanced around the restaurant and took in the bluesy atmosphere and smells that instantly filled her with nostalgia “—that wasn’t my intention.”
“You’re not whiny. Far from it. I just stated my observation.” He leaned forward and told the hostess, “Two.”
Carly didn’t recognize the young girl, nor had she seen a single person she recognized. She relaxed a little. A lot changed in five years. Not Julio’s décor or atmosphere, though.
Same wooden tables with their battery lit candles. Same high-back chairs that were only semi-comfortable. Same rust-colored seats in the booths that lined one wall. Same jazzy blues playing softly in the background. She breathed in a deep breath. Same yummy garlic and tomato sauce smell.
Her stomach growled. She covered her belly with her hand and turned to see if the growl had been so thunderous that Stone had heard.
If so, he didn’t point it out, just smiled and said, “I’ve been watching you for a month.”
“That’s creepy,” she scolded. All the while her insides danced with a nervousness that had nothing to do with being creeped out and everything to do with the fact she was the object of this gorgeous man’s attention.
“Not that I haven’t told myself the same thing since overhearing your conversation with Rosalyn, but there’s a comment that will deflate a man’s ego in a hurry.”
“I’d say your ego is just fine.”
“Possibly not after the beating you’ve given it over the past two days.”
“I enjoy talking with you at the hospital but we can’t have a relationship outside the hospital,” she pointed out. “I’m sorry if I let you think that was a possibility.”
He studied her. “Because of your situation?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Holding a couple of menus, the hostess motioned for them to follow her. She seated them at one of the booths. Carly had always liked the booths and thought they were cozy and perfect for a date. Not that this was a date. Or maybe it was. She wasn’t really sure.
When they were settled into their seats and the hostess had moved on, Stone asked, “Isn’t the fair thing to give me the facts and let me decide for myself?”
He made a good point. One she couldn’t think of a single argument against.
“I suppose.” She stared at her menu.
“So why didn’t you?”
Good question.
“I don’t know.” She stared at the menu harder, marveling that it was the same as when she’d worked there, other than an increase in prices.
“Not good enough.”
Not glancing up, she shrugged. “It’s the only answer I have.”
“Dig deeper, Carly. Why didn’t you let me make the choice for myself?”
He studied her so closely that she didn’t have to look to feel the intensity.
“We all have baggage, Carly,” he assured her. “Just different-sized suitcases.”
Carly bit the inside of her cheek. He wasn’t going to let this drop, which meant she really did have to dig deeper, and when she dug, she didn’t like what she saw.
Lowering her menu, she met his gaze. “I was afraid to give you that option and set myself up for disappointment,” she said, watching to see how he reacted to her admission.
“How would I disappoint you?”
Good grief, the man pushed. Why wasn’t their waitress interrupting to get their drink orders?
“My life is full. Despite that I am with you now, this isn’t typical. Nor can it be. I rush home from work and am there until I go back to work. I don’t have time for dating or becoming involved with someone. I just don’t,” she emphasized the words, “and won’t.”