Page 124 of Renewal After Dark

“I guess, but I care about you too much to ever think of you in those terms.”

“And I care about you, but not like that. Believe me, there’ve been times when I wondered what was wrong with me that I wasn’t asking you out or trying to make something happen with you. But it was the word ‘trying’ that always stopped me. If it was going to happen between us, it would have. A long time ago.”

“Yeah, I know, and you’re right. My meltdown has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me realizing that time is moving on and my life isn’t what I hoped it would be at this point. That’s on me, not you.” She stood. “I’ll go. I’m sorry I interrupted your evening. McKenzie seems like a nice person. I hope you guys will be h-happy.”

“I’ll drive you home.”

“Don’t be silly. I can get myself home.”

“I’ll drive you. Just let me grab my keys.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

Duke went inside and directly to the bedroom, where McKenzie was stretched out on his bed under a blanket.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, she’s… I don’t know. She’s upset. They found Billy, who was a friend of hers. I’m going to drive her home. I’ll be back in twenty minutes. I’m really sorry about this.”

“It’s fine.”

He leaned over to kiss her. “It’s not fine, but I didn’t know she was coming or that she was upset or any of it.”

“It’s not your fault. I think I’ll go home, though.”

“Please don’t.” He paused, feeling as torn as he ever had between where he wanted to be and what he needed to do for a longtime friend. “The only thing I want in this entire world is to be here with you. Please don’t go.”

She smiled, and some of the earlier warmth returned to her eyes. “Okay. I won’t.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

He kissed her again before grabbing a sweatshirt and his keys and heading for the door. When he stepped into the cool autumn air, he unlocked the truck for Sierra.

She climbed into the passenger seat.

Duke backed the truck out of the driveway and headed for town, where Sierra lived above her studio.

“I feel like a total asshole. Is she mad?”

“Nah. It’s fine.”

“I’d never want to mess anything up for you. I hope you know that.”

“I do.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“What is it about her that does it for you?”

Duke huffed out a laugh. “Everything. Every fucking thing. She’s smart, funny, sexy, practical and an amazing mother. She’s bossy as hell and tells me to wear a helmet on the bike, and I do it because she cares. That’s why she’s making me do it.”

Sierra turned toward him in her seat. “You’re wearing a helmet?”

“Yep.”

---