Page 113 of Getting it Right (Addy's Rollercoaster)

“You’ve said that before,” I mumbled.

“Because I’m trying to get through to you. For a smart woman, sometimes you’re pretty fucking dense.”

I tried a different tack. “There is no me and you.”

“Stubborn too.” His sensual lips flattened. “But you’ve met your match. There is a you and me. We’ve already started, but you threw us for a loop that I’m taking us out of. From now on, we’re moving forward in a straight line, and we’re moving forward together.”

Oh, how I liked the sound of that, but it couldn’t be. “There can’t be a me and you.”

“Aha.” He wagged an accusatory finger in my face. “There it is. The actual truth from your sexy lips for once. How long have you been pushing me and everyone else away?”

“Who do I push away?” I played dumb. It was all I had, because the ground beneath me didn’t just quake, it gave way.

“Me, like you did all those years ago. Rachel. Her family. And I’d guess anyone who gets too close to you.” He gave me a pointed look. “Anyone who makes you feel emotionally vulnerable or threatens what Martin continues to consider his.”

“How do you know?” I asked, my eyes wide as I searched his. When did he find out? “Did Martin threaten you? Did he hurt you?” Worried, I ran my gaze over him.

“I’m fine,con bu?m c?a tôi.”

His expression softening, Barry traced a lock of my hair that had escaped my ponytail from my temple to the end that rested over my breast. My body came alive in response to that gentle touch.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” he said low.

I imagined he could with practically anyone as an adversary, but not Martin. Only I knew the lengths he would go to.

“I figured stuff out while Rachel and I were talking,” Barry said. “Things that didn’t add up before came together in my mind.” He narrowed his gaze. “I should have realized it sooner, knowing you like I do.”

“You have songs on the radio,” I blurted. I’d kept my secret so long that I felt exposed, panicky, emotionally vulnerable like he said.

His lips slowly curled. “I do. I was going to tell you the other day, but you ran off.” He placed his hands on my shoulders, and the ground stopped quaking. “You need to stop running.”

“But you have a restaurant.” I frowned, totally confused. “I don’t understand.”

“Cooking is just one of my passions. Music is another, one I rediscovered later in life. Like I’ve finally rediscovered you.”

“Barry.” I licked my dry lips. “We can’t do this.”

“We can.” Running his hands down my arms, he left trails of heat in my skin.

“He’ll hurt you.” I couldn’t have that on my conscience along with all the rest.

“Your sister is here.” Barry’s gaze narrowed. “Will he not hurt her?”

“I don’t know,” I cried out. “I don’t think so. But she doesn’t have a choice. It was me or a shelter.”

“You think I have a choice?” Barry shook his head. “It’s you for me, Addy. It’s always been you.”

I melted from those words, and the look in his eyes as he framed my face.

“Tell me it’s not the same for you,” he said tersely. “I dare you to deny it.”

Had it been him all along? I thought back to those days long ago.

Our friendship. The way he got me like no one else did. How much I felt for him, needed him emotionally, craved him physically, and how frightened I was by all that. Barry didn’t fit any plan. He never had.

“I love you,” I said softly and grabbed both his hands.

Every event in my life had been leading to this moment, to my admission, to him. I could never be happy if I didn’t hold on to him. If I didn’t try to make us work. Barry Evans was my happy place, my place to belong. In his arms, I was home.

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