Page 29 of Christmas On Anchor Island

Who knew it could be this difficult to cross a dining room? Not wanting to be rude, she said, “For just a minute, sure.”

A second later they were alone at an empty table away from everyone else. Mia sensed what might be coming and was already formulating as gentle of a rejection as she could. The man really was nice, and it wasn’t his fault that Grandma had picked him as Mia’s potential love interest. Plus, there was the fact that Mia had never outright told him she wasn’t interested. A mistake she’d made in order to keep her secret, but she should have been clear from the beginning.

Before Mia had the chance, Jeremy said, “I realize you’re probably tired of me dancing around the subject of asking you out.”

“I’m not—”

“You don’t have to lie to spare my feelings. The fact is, I’ve been a coward. I should have come right out and asked.”

“No, you—”

“If you’ve set your sights on Knox, I’ll understand, but…”

So the possibility of having a competitor had given him courage? Why couldn’t Grandma have taken one day off from matchmaking?

“I just want you to know that I really like you,” he continued, “and I’d like the chance to take you out.” As if he’d completed some difficult feat, Jeremy leaned back from the table with a nod. “I hope you’ll still give me a chance.”

At first, Mia couldn’t think of what to say. No, obviously, but she couldn’t flat-out reject him. Not when he looked as if he might crawl out the door if she turned him down.

“Jeremy, I appreciate the offer, I really do, but I’m afraid—”

“I knew it,” he cut in. “I’m too late.”

“It isn’t that.”

He shook his head. “It’s my own fault.”

Why she felt the need to soothe his feelings Mia didn’t know. She just hated for anyone to feel bad. “Listen, please. You aren’t too late.”

His face perked up. “You mean there’s still a chance?”

“I’m not saying that. It’s just…” It was just what? She couldn’t say she didn’t like him. He was a nice guy. Any number of other women would jump at this chance. She simply wasn’t one of them. But how did she tell him that? Part of her said she wasn’t obligated to give him a reason at all, and yet…

“Be straight with me, Mia.”

She almost burst out laughing at that statement.

“We wouldn’t make a good match, that’s all.”

“How do you know that when we haven’t even been on a date?”

“Trust me,” she said. “I know.”

Jeremy crossed his arms and scowled. “I should at least get the chance to change your mind.”

Now she was getting annoyed. “There are other single women on this island, you know. It isn’t as if I’m your only option.”

Like a child told to pick another toy, he said, “I’m asking you because I like you. I don’t ask just any woman on a date because she’s single and available.”

Funny how those two always went hand in hand. Being single did not automatically make a person available.

“I’m flattered, Jeremy. I really am. But I can’t go out with you.”

He leaned forward, hands clasped on the table. “Is it my approach?”

“No, that’s—”

“I clearly did something wrong.”

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