Page 40 of Stealing Home

Harlow takes a deep breath. “So Wren is demanding our presence at a barbecue tonight.”

“I’ve been told. Do you want to go? I’m sure they’ll understand if you want to stay in tonight.”

She twists her lips. “I’m not sure I want to spend a lot of time here tonight. I’m afraid he’ll come back.”

“What happened today? I’ve been worried about you since I saw him tear out of the athletic facility. I couldn’t go get my phone to warn you.”

“I didn’t talk to him, but there was a cop that showed up after several minutes and tried to force me to. Griffin stepped in and called the mayor.”

It takes effort to keep myself from exploding in anger, but that’s not what she needs right now. “That asshole has cops helping him?”

She shrugs. “I had a flashback when he was here earlier. That’s why I broke down. It’s like now that I’m not making excuses for him, I’m seeing things differently. I’ve been telling myself things have been bad the past couple of years, but now I wonder if it was ever good. I feel so stupid.”

Grabbing her hand, I lace our fingers together. “You’re sweet and forgiving. He took advantage of that. You shouldn’t feel stupid for being a kind person.”

“I settled. For that I do feel stupid. I don’t even know why I did it. It wasn’t like getting married was some grand fantasy of mine. I just got wrapped up in the relationship and mostly felt like I couldn’t get out.”

“Let me guess, when you seemed resistant to his attention he was distraught, acted like he couldn’t live without you?”

She nods. “Every time I told him I wasn’t ready, he pushed and broke down. I felt like I was on a roller coaster, and it was just easier to go along with it than push against it. I thought I loved him once, but I wonder if I wasn’t just young and stupid.”

I sit back and think about the way I’ve been going about pursuing her. It isn’t so different really. “Answer a question for me. I need you to be completely honest with me and yourself. I realize I’ve been pushing you to give us a chance. I don’t want to make you feel the way he did. I want you to feel stronger because you’re with me, never smaller. If you really want me to go, I’ll go.”

Harlow chews on her bottom lip before releasing it. “I want you to stay, but I feel guilty for it.”

“Why?”

She looks down at her lap, but that won’t do. I stroke the side of her face and guide her eyes back to mine. “Because I’m not good for you. Wanting you with me is the most selfish thing I can think of, but I can only give you up if it’s what’s best for you.”

We’re in dangerous territory. I want to give us time, let things build slowly, but my feelings for her are not cooperating. Every moment I spend with her makes me want more. I’m greedy for her time, attention, and affection.

Still, slow is what she needs, and I won’t push her. “I guess we’ve got a barbecue to get ready for.”

“Are you sure?” She’s giving me an out, but I can see she’s happy about the idea of being with her friends.

I feel the corner of my mouth curl up. “I like the idea of being with you in public. I also want to get to know your friends.”

She leans forward and kisses me on the cheek. “I’m going to go get ready.”

“I want to stay here with you. I don’t like the idea of you being here alone when he’s so pissed off. But only if you are okay with it. I am trying to be less pushy.”

“This feels like we’re not taking things slow anymore,” she says.

I kiss her because I can’t take another moment not feeling her lips moving against mine. “I’m following your lead. Whatever pace you need.”

“That’s a dangerous offer tonight. I’m not in a good frame of mind,” she mutters.

I nod. “That’s fair. Tonight we go back to slow, how’s that?”

Something is bothering me, and I want to ask her, but I’m afraid to send her back into shock. Still, not saying anything is too big of a risk. “Low, how did he know where you were?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it was in the divorce papers?”

Her phone is sitting on the coffee table. I grab it and hand it to her. “Call your lawyer and ask. If you don’t want me to stay, I want to know you’re safe.”

“My lawyer gave me his work cell, I just hope he’s got it on him,” she mutters and dials his number. “Mr. Jones, uhm, by any chance was Nando notified where I’m working?” she asks her attorney.

I can’t make out clearly what he’s saying, but it sounds like he’s telling her no. Her forehead scrunches together. “Well, he showed up at my work today…No, I don’t think a no contact order is going to work because a cop showed up soon after and tried to make me talk to him.”

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