Let Me Burn (Angel Sands 1)

What the heck? “Are you serious?” he asked her. “You can’t be serious. Have you looked in the mirror tonight? You look amazing.”

“I do?”

There was a lump in his throat that had nothing to do with the fries he’d been eating. “Yeah, you do. You’re beautiful.”

Her eyes softened. “Thank you.”

“So there’s no way he saw you and walked away. The guy would have to be crazy to let you down.” He leaned toward her, resting his jaw on his hands, the same way she was resting hers. “So, what are your other theories?”

“That he was just playing around. Getting a kick out of having somebody agree to meet him and then stand her up. Maybe it makes him feel powerful.”

“It makes him sound like a jerk.”

“You won’t hear me arguing with that.” She took in a deep breath of air, then exhaled heavily. “You were right all along about that app. I should never have downloaded it. I’m better off single.”

“I said some stupid things because I was worried about you. But actually I think you were brave to download it. How many people step out of their comfort zone and try something new?”

“Yeah, well that’s the last time I try something like that. With my history I should have known better.”

“Your history?” Now he was intrigued. “What about your history?”

“I’m not good with relationships.”

That made him laugh out loud, but as soon as he saw her surprised expression he stopped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh,” he said, shaking his head. “But how can you be bad at relationships if you were engaged to a guy for so long?”

“How do you know about my engagement?” Her brows dipped as she looked at him.

“Caitie told me.”

“You were talking to Caitie about me?”

Busted. For the first time he felt his own embarrassment rise up. “Not me, my mom. I was sitting next to her.” He didn’t quite meet her gaze. “You know what moms are like. They want to know everything.”

“Yeah, I k

now exactly what moms are like.” She sighed. “Anyway, just because you get engaged doesn’t mean you’re good at relationships. Especially if the guy you’re engaged to skips town.”

“He left without telling you?” Lucas frowned.

Ember swallowed, her neck undulating as she did. “Not quite. He told me one day and left the next.” She blew out a mouthful of air. “In that respect he has one up on Adam Michaelson, if that’s his real name. At least Will had the guts to tell me first.”

“Doesn’t sound to me like he had any guts at all. And no sense whatsoever. Because look what he left behind.” He gestured at her. “I bet he’s kicking himself now.”

“I don’t think so.”

Lucas’ eyes softened. “Well he sounds like a fool to me.”

When their eyes met this time, it coincided with a crash of a wave against the rocks. He felt something vibrate through him – a desire to reach out and touch her – and it was taking all of him to stop himself.

“I’m sorry for talking about all my troubles,” she said softly. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear them, you must have troubles of your own.”

“Doesn’t everybody?” He shrugged. “And it’s no trouble talking with you. I like it.”

That felt like an understatement. Sitting here with Ember made him feel whole in a way he hadn’t for a long time. As though all the pieces of him that had torn away, thanks to his job, were slowly reassembling themselves.

“I like it too.”

If he’d been any other guy right then – Adam Michaelson or Will – Lucas might have taken the opportunity to touch her. Maybe he’d run his fingers through her hair, or lightly press his palm against her arm to see if she was feeling the same way he was.