Damien gave his sandwich a critical once-over and opted for an apple instead. He took a huge bite, smiling as he chewed. “Maybe I wanted one more shot with you. ”
“Damien!” She nudged his foot.
He gave an exaggeratedly innocent shrug. “So. You sure it’s over?”
“Yes, I’m sure. ” She narrowed her eyes at him “Hey, you said your intentions were innocent, bringing me here. You lied. ”
“I didn’t lie,” he said, smiling to match her glare. “I didn’t. ”
She glared harder.
“Okay, okay,” he admitted. “Maybe a little white lie. Can’t blame a guy for trying. ”
She tried to be mad, but couldn’t. It was just too classically Damien. Oddly, she felt a stab of affection for him because of it. Affection and, at the same time, total resolve. Damien was the same smooth-talking lady-killer he’d been in high school. But it wasn’t high school anymore, and sitting there with him, she knew more than ever how she’d found her perfect man in Billy. The revelation made her as comfortable with Damien as she’d ever been. “You just want to keep dating now that you know I’m a gold mine heiress,” she said, ribbing him.
“Dream on,” he said, ribbing right back. But then he grew thoughtful. “You really like that sheriff, huh?”
She finished the first half of her sandwich and dusted off her hands to reach for the second. “Yup. I really like that sheriff. ”
“He’s a lucky man. ” He nibbled around the apple core, getting every last bit. The poor guy still looked famished.
The compliment made her feel shy, so she ignored it and focused on his choice of lunch instead. “I tell you, between you and my sister…” She nodded to his uneaten sandwich. “A carb and some mayo once in a while isn’t going to kill you. ”
“A guy’s gotta stay ripped. ” Damien smiled the confident old smile she knew. He cocked an eyebrow. “Especially now that I’m single. ”
“Hey, this was supposed to be a hurrah. I’d think, just this once, you could feed yourself something other than beef, berries, or protein shakes. ”
He laughed, pulling the cookie tin close. “Then screw the sandwich. If I’m eating processed, it’s going to be sugar. ”
“Alert the media,” she said gleefully, watching him shove an entire cookie into his mouth. “Damien Simmons, eating carbs. Eating sugar! Apocalypse really is nigh. ”
He laughed, too, and gobbled down a second cookie for good measure. “You should try one,” he said, speaking over a mouthful.
“Very appetizing,” she said sarcastically. “Don’t worry, I will. If you can save m
e some. ”
Damien actually grabbed a third cookie, breaking off the chocolate end and popping it down. “That sheriff better take care of you. I worry about you in that lodge. ”
She stilled, her sandwich held in midair, studying him. “Why?”
“The place is a…”
“A dump? Is that what you were going to say?”
“No, of course not. It’s halfway there, though. Why do you think I’m always coming by?”
The realization hit her with a sharp pang. She hadn’t loved Damien, but for a little while she’d enjoyed his company. Had felt wanted by him. “I’d hoped it was because you were my boyfriend. ”
“I was, Sorrow. ” He caught her gaze and held it, speaking earnestly. “I really do care about you. A lot. Say the word, and I’m back on board, baby. Your sheriff is lucky. Any man would be thrilled to call himself yours. But, no offense, where the lodge is concerned, you seem to be flying solo. You can’t run the place alone. It’s like a demolition zone. You need someone to look out for you. ”
The unexpected sentiment touched her, and for an instant, her eyes burned with unshed tears. Little did he know how much she needed actual protection. She was sure Billy would disagree, but she found herself confiding. “Billy thinks everything that’s been happening…he doesn’t think those are accidents. ”
He froze, his mouth gaping. “What do you mean, not accidents?”
“Think about it. ” She dropped her head in her hands, rattling it all off. “The tree branch, bear box, black ice…stuff like that can happen, sure. But a fire in the kitchen? That wasn’t my fault. Sully and I keep a spotless oven, and you know it. And then there was Laura’s hit-and-run. When she was driving my car. ” When she looked back up at him, he was wearing a peculiar expression. “What?”
“Just…” His brow was furrowed hard. “Who would want to hurt you?”