Page 54 of Mistaken Intention

“Why is that good?”

“I’m not sure it is yet, but to find out, I’m gonna have to ask you to break your rule… just once.”

“My rule?”

“Yeah, the one that says you’re not allowed to tell me anything. I need you to break it and give me a straight answer.”

She pauses for a moment, her eyes fixed on mine, like they’re searching for something. “What do you need to know?”

“Am I married? Do I have a girlfriend? I’m pretty sure she’d be here if I did… but can you tell me?”

She shakes her head, and I wonder if I’m going to have to beg her, or explain my reason for asking… that I need to be with her, but I can’t if I’m with someone else. I may not know myself very well, but I don’t think I’m the kind of guy who’d cheat. The thought of it feels wrong, which is why I need to know whether I’m free. I open my mouth to ask again, just as she says, “No, you’re not married… and you don’t have a girlfriend.”

She lowers her head as she’s speaking, but I place my finger beneath her chin, raising it again until her eyes lock on mine, her breath catching in her throat as she sucks it in.

“That’s good too, isn’t it?” I whisper, my lips no more than an inch from hers.

“Why?” She blinks hard. “Why is it good?”

I move closer. “Why do you think?”

“I—I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

Chapter Six

Josie

Do I?

Can it be that he wants me as much as I want him? It would be so easy, too…

Except it wouldn’t.

I might have given him a few bare facts, but he doesn’t know me. He doesn’t know who I am, or my connection to his old life. And besides, he’s a patient.

I take a step back, letting out a long breath.

“Sorry,” he says, his voice filled with regret. “Did I say the wrong thing? Did I move too fast?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what, Josie? What did I do?”

“It’s just…” My phone rings, interrupting me and I curse under my breath, pulling it from my back pocket. Hunter’s name is displayed on the screen, so I know I can’t ignore him. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.”

Drew nods his head, and I move away, connecting the call to his brother.

“I’m really sorry to interrupt you, Josie.”Not as sorry as I am.

“What can I do for you?”

“I need you to come up to the main house.”

“When?”

“Now.”

---