Page 58 of The Love Shack

“But I should have known. I should have found out.”

“Know how I see it? Durkinson is a bastard for using you. If his wife had any backbone, she would have kicked his sorry ass to the curb, not taken out her anger on you, a teenager.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not blameless.”

“Actually, you are. That’s how anyone with a brain will see it. No, don’t tell me what Durkinson’s wife thought. My guess is she reacted on pure emotion.” If he put his anger aside, he could almost understand her reaction. But understanding didn’t make it right. The woman should have seen that Berkley was a shy, backward girl, and that she’d been a victim, too. Instead, she’d salvaged her own pride at Berkley’s expense. “You were convenient—too young and innocent to fight back.”

She whispered, “I haven’t felt young or innocent for a very long time.”

Of course she hadn’t. Their neighborhood hadn’t exactly fostered those softer illusions. People either hardened their hearts or they became prey. “Well, you were.” In many ways, she still was. Strong, yes. Independent, absolutely. But she hadn’t yet learned how upside down the world could be. If she had, she’d know that her innocence, her fresh outlook on life and her big heart were as unique as each animal she adored.

With sudden determination, Lawson sat forward. “Do me a favor if you can.”

“Sure,” she said without hesitation.

Hoping to give her a perspective on her past, by showing her the awesome present, he said, “Give this town a chance. Let them all know you as well as Betty does.”As I do.“I promise you once that happens, there’s not a damn thing Durkinson can say or do that will turn them against you.”

Her lips, those incredibly soft lips he’d kissed moments before, lifted into a slight smile. “You sound awfully cocky about that.”

“I’m cocky about your appeal.” He saw another blush coming and had to smile over it. “Tell you what. Let’s make a date night at Saul’s barbecue. We can fit it in around the monthly town council meeting and the tea gathering you’ll attend.”

“That I’m thinking of attending,” she amended.

“Go,” he encouraged her. “Give it a try.”Give the town a try.“If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to return, right?”

“Says the guy who won’t be drinking tea with dozens of women.” The second she said it, she groaned. “That sounded horrible. And unappreciative. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“You’re busy,” he said, understanding her in ways others might not. “You keep a full schedule and when you have free time, there are certain ways you want to spend it.”

Appearing amazed at his insight, she nodded. “I will go, at least once, just to see what it’s about. Same with the town council meeting.” She hesitated, then asked, “I don’t suppose you’d want to go to that with me?” As enticement, she hurriedly added, “We could do dinner at Saul’s after.”

So she wanted his company, did she? He wanted her. Sounded fair. “I like that plan. Will there be more kissing?”

“I hope so.”

Looking into her eyes to gauge her reaction, he asked, “How about if I guarantee it?”

“Better and better. So it’s a date?”

A date. With Berkley. Yeah, he liked that a lot. “One condition.”

She frowned at him.

“The town council won’t meet again until the second Thursday of next month.”

“Oh.” Concentration deepened her frown. “The tea club meets every first and third Monday.”

He was going to need a calendar to keep up. “How about we do dinner this Friday?” That was only a few days away. Before she could speak, he said, “I’ll happily claim every Friday if you’re free. Weekends optional for whenever you have time.”

Her eyes widened, but she said, “Done.”

Well, that was quick and easier than he’d expected. “It’s getting late.” He stood from the table, thinking he should go before he took things too far.

Like to the bedroom. Or the tabletop. “It’ll be another long day tomorrow.”

Berkley smacked her palm to her forehead. “I did it again! You said you had a rough day, and I went right back to talking about me.”

Gently, he tugged her from her seat. “Actually, I steered that conversation, because my issue was embarrassing.”

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