Page 88 of Out of the Cold

“I don’t want to have to convince you.”

“You don’t. You only need to give me time.”

Standing up, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He stiffened, as if defending himself.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just scared.”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to keep explaining.”

She stepped back, her stomach twisting at his cool tone. “Nothing has to change,” she said, her voice rising in panic. “If we still feel this way when we’re both ready to leave, then of course I’ll move to Sacramento. You have no idea how happy that would make me.”

He nodded, but his expression was all too familiar—closed off, his eyes giving nothing away.

She wanted to weep. They’d come so far, but now they were going backwards in time. The anniversary of Ricky’s death was obviously churning something up in him. Normally, he was perfectly rational and understanding.

“Please come sit down,” she said. “We can finish our meal and be lazy the rest of the night.”

He sat down, but he didn’t quite meet her eyes. He ate mechanically, without the usual praise he usually heaped on the food she cooked. Of course, everything was cold now, and she wasn’t even hungry. Her stomach was in knots, but she forced down a few bites and drank her wine.

She reached over and took his hand. “We’ve both been through a lot. Can’t we enjoy being here for each other, knowing it will only get better if we give each other what we need?”

His eyes finally rose to meet hers, and his hand squeezed hers. “You’re right. I’m sorry I pushed you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It’s okay.” She pushed her food away. “What do you say we heat this all back up again and eat it while we watchAlien? You owe me that rain check.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.” He was still subdued, but the tension was gone from his shoulders.

She stood and brought their plates to the microwave. “I was in such agony watching movies with you on Thanksgiving. I was afraid you could read my mind and know I wanted to crawl into your lap and ride you until dawn.”

“I did know it.”

She stared at him. “Seriously?”

“Let’s just say you don’t have a poker face.” He came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “I was imagining the same thing, which is why I left.”

“Now look at us.”

He cupped her face in his big hands and smiled down at her. “Now look at us.”?

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