Page 59 of Unforgotten

She faced him. “Ryan Mulaney, do you like me?”

His jaw clenched. “Come on.”

“Do you?”

He looked back at her, his brown eyes somehow looking even darker. “Candace, we’re not kids.”

“You’re right, we’re adults.”

When his expression didn’t ease, she added, “Ryan, don’t you start throwing my age at me.”

“I meant that you’re young and sheltered.”

It was obvious he was grasping at straws. “And you’re a cop from a big city up north,” she said with a touch of sarcasm. “I get it.”

“Good.” He moved to put the vehicle into gear.

Oh no. No way was she letting him end the conversation yet. She grabbed his hand. “Wait. Just because I get what you’re saying doesn’t mean that I agree with everything you’re insinuating. I’ve got plans. I’m almost through college. I entered the pageant to help pay for the last of it.”

When he started to interrupt, she cut him off. “Haven’t you noticed what I’ve been doing? I’ve been working with people of all ages. I’ve given speeches. I’ve volunteered. I haven’t been standing still and just waving and posing for strangers.”

His throat worked. “You’re right. I ... it was wrong of me to suggest you aren’t everything you are.”

“That means I deserve to know how you feel.”

“There’s no point.”

“Ryan, this isn’t just your job we’re talking about. This is us. This is my heart. This is yours too. Don’t you see that means something?”

After a few moments he nodded. “Yes.” He turned to face her and reached for her hands. Clasped them both, enveloping them in warmth and security. “Fine. I like you, Candace. I like you a lot. I think about you when we’re not together. I intentionally set my schedule around yours because the idea of you going on your own to one of these places drives me crazy. Almost as much as sending you with another cop on staff does.” Averting his eyes, he added, “But that doesn’t mean we can act on our feelings.”

“Why not? What would be the worst that could happen?”

“I get fired. Your reputation gets damaged.”

“Or you break my heart?”

His hands holding hers flinched slightly. “Don’t be dramatic.” Averting his eyes, he said, “Really, it would be best if we—”

“Can’t we just take things slow?”

He met her gaze. “How slow?”

“As slow as we need to go.” She waved a hand. “Like I said, I’ve got to finish college.”

He nodded slowly. “There’s something else. The chief can decide he doesn’t need another officer. I’m here on a grant. To see if a bigger force makes a difference for the town. If the chief can’t justify to the powers that be that my position is warranted, then I’ll be out of a job. I’d have to find another job and move.”

“I see.”

He ran his thumb along her knuckles. “I don’t think you do. The timing just isn’t right. Right now I need to focus on my career.”

“What do you want me to do while you wait until the timing is right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you expect me to just wait until you decide we can have a relationship?”

“I don’t expect you to wait.”

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