“I was thinking of you. She’s your type.”
“How do you know?” There was an edge to his voice. “You saw the pictures of Sallyanne, and you thought you’d find someone just like her, is that it? The perfect replacement?”
“No. You told me you didn’t like blondes, and that you prefer brunettes.” She saw a muscle flicker in his jaw.
“I apologize.”
“Don’t apologize for feeling sad and for finding this whole thing difficult.” There were people milling around, but neither of them paid any attention.
“I shouldn’t have come. It was a mistake.”
“I think the fact that you find it hard is a good reason to have come. It will be easier next time.” She slid her hand into his. “I’ll stop matchmaking. Don’t be mad. My intentions were good, just as yours presumably were when you sent that guy packing just now.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It is. We’re both interfering in each other’s lives, so here’s the deal. I’ll butt out of yours, if you butt out of mine.”
His gaze was fixed on the dance floor. “What if you decide to leave with a sleaze?”
“I have a PhD in dealing with sleazy men. Ask that woman to dance. She has a lovely smile.”
“You said you weren’t going to interfere.”
“I lied.” She poked him in the arm. “She looks nice.”
“Nice? What sort of word is nice?”
“Don’t mock me. If you made me a scrambled egg and it wasn’t perfect, I would simply say thank you. I wouldn’t point out all the ways you could have made it better.”
“You’re right. I apologize.”
“It’s okay. I know that it’s being here that’s making you moody and it’s my fault because I forced you to come. But we’re here now, and I’m going to enjoy it so stop scowling.”
He turned to look at her, his eyes glittering dark under the lights. “Maybe I’m not afraid. Maybe I just don’t want what you want. Has that occurred to you?”
“You don’t want friendship and love? Well, of course you don’t, because those two things are pretty horrible. Having someone who cares about you and brings out the best in you? Yuck. Much better to be lonely and unloved, that way you know for sure you’re never going to get hurt.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.”
“No? I thought it was the perfect accessory for your scowly face.”
“Scowly isn’t a word.”
“Well, it should be. And don’t be superior.” But her mind wasn’t really on the argument because she was thinking about what he’d said. “Are you serious?”
“That scowly isn’t a word? Yes.”
“I meant, were you serious about not wanting love?”
He paused just long enough for her to know that she had her answer.
Her heart ached for him. “It hurts that much?”
He stared across the room, his gaze fixed on the dance floor. “Yes.”
She wished they weren’t having this conversation here, surrounded by people.
“When something is hard, the best thing is to just get out there and do it.”