“It was late, and we were… unprepared.”
I’m not sure what that means. “I didn’t think you liked working at the garage. You have money now. You could sell it.”
“It’s what I want to do. And you’re dating Ralph Stern now?” The sudden edge in his voice takes me by surprise.
My jaw drops open, and I don’t say what I should. I don’t say no. Instead, I snap at him.
“Isn’t that what you kept telling me I should do? Date other people?”
He disappears without a word for a year, then comes back angry because I didn’t sit around waiting?
…only I did.
His blue eyes are storm clouds and thunder, and the muscle in his jaw moves back and forth. The air between us seems to crackle. He starts to go, but I throw caution to the wind. I reach out and grab his arm.
“Why didn’t you come to the funeral?” I don’t say the rest. He was your best friend. I was so lost and confused, so lonely.
He doesn’t meet my eyes. “I said goodbye before they brought him home.”
“Funerals are for the survivors, Gray.” My voice is trembling. “You should have come home for me.”
His brow furrows over those stormy eyes, and when they meet mine, I can’t hold back. I step forward, pulling my body into his, letting his familiar scent of cedar, soap, and Gray engulf me.
Strong arms go around me, and I almost cry. My body melts, I grip his shirt. It’s so right where I belong, but it’s cut short. His back stiffens and he pulls away, gripping my upper arms in both hands.
“We can’t do this.”
The shards of glass make it to my heart, cutting painfully. “What happened?”
His chin drops. “I’m not the same person anymore.”
“Well, I am.” Tears are in my voice. “Didn’t you get any of my texts?”
The lines around his eyes deepen. “The accident… busted my phone. I didn’t get a new one until a month ago.”
Frustration burns my insides. I can’t stand this pain. “Do you still have my number?”
He hesitates too long before admitting. “Yes.”
I can’t stand here anymore. Grabbing the door, I’m ready to leave this place when Gray stops me.
“Ralph seems like a nice guy now. You’re right to move on, forget about me.” Bitterness is in his voice, like he doesn’t mean a word of it.
I look to the door, frowning. “If that’s how you feel, why did you come back?”
Another long pause, then finally. “I don’t know.”
“Not that it’s your business, but I’m not dating Ralph. We’re just friends.”
His lips tighten, but I refuse to stay and see the relief in his eyes. I’m through the door, and of course Ralph meets me as soon as we exit the kitchen.
“I was telling Dotty about the health benefits of almonds,” he starts. “Gray, your degree is in civil engineering, right?”
Gray makes a noise behind me.
“Well, when you get serious and stop wasting your time in that garage, I could use you on my team. Help me run my logistics.”
He puts his arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze. “Isn’t that right, Andrea?”