Page 11 of Mistaken Intention

Man, did we talk. I wanted to touch her, to caress her soft cheeks and kiss her tender lips, and tell her I’d found the one woman in the world who was meant for me. It was too soon for declarations like that, so I limited myself to talking about my work, and listening to her rave about hers. She clearly enjoyed being a nurse, and I loved her passion… almost as much as I loved her.

And I did love her. I knew it, even though I’d never experienced it before.

Josie was it for me, and no-one else was ever going to come close.

I was so enthralled, I didn’t notice Lexi coming over… not until she linked her arm through mine, my body stiffening at the unwelcome intrusion.

“I see you’ve met my big sister.”

My heart stopped for a second time.

Josie was her sister?

I looked down and saw a moment of realization as it flickered across her eyes. Lexi said something else, although I don’t know what it was, and I nodded my head before she left again. I stared at Josie, unsure what to say or do to make it better.

“Y—You’re Lexi’s boyfriend?”

I could hear doubt and confusion in Josie’s voice, but I still couldn’t think what to say, so I just murmured, “Sort of.”

I wasn’t. Not really… and even if I was, I didn’t want to be.

Josie frowned and nodded her head, and I noticed her eyes glistening. This wasn’t the same sparkle she got when she smiled. This was different… like she was going to cry. I wanted to reach out to her, but before I could, she moved away, rushingacross the room and ducking inside a door, closing it behind her. I stared. Should I go after her? What would I say if I did? She was bound to be angry with me. Even if she hadn’t known of my connection with her sister, I had… and although I hadn’t known who she was, I knew I wasn’t exactly available.

I pushed my fingers back through my hair.

God, what a mess.

“Where’s Josie?” I turned at the sound of Lexi’s voice.

“I—I don’t know.”

She looked around and shrugged. “Oh, well. We’d better get going.”

I wondered why she didn’t seem very interested in talking to her sister, or even saying goodbye to her, but I wasn’t about to comment, and I let her lead me from the apartment.

We made a silent journey back to my place, and once we were there, I closed the door and turned to her.

“Can we talk?” I said, and she raised her eyes to mine.

“Now? I told you, I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

Had she told me that? I couldn’t remember, but I’d barely listened to a word she’d said all evening. “I know,” I lied. “But this won’t take long.”

“Okay.”

I walked away, into the living room, knowing she’d follow, and she did, sitting down on the couch, while I paced back and forth a couple of times and then stopped in front of her.

“I can’t keep seeing you.” I couldn’t think how else to phrase it, and the words just poured out of me.

“Oh.”

Although nothing had been the same since we’d returned from the Caribbean, she seemed surprised. But maybe it wasn’t what I’d said so much as the way I’d said it.

“I’m sorry, Lexi. It’s just not working.”

“No, it’s not.”

At least she wasn’t trying to pretend there was anything between us. She looked around, and it only took me a moment to realize what was wrong. “If you’re stuck for somewhere to stay while you’re in Boston, you can use the guest room.”

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