Page 13 of Say Yes

“While I’m hunting up some food, why don’t you tell me just how short you are on making ends meet.” It was a personal question, but Sara didn’t seem to mind. She propped her head up with one fist and regarded him as he searched through the refrigerator.

“It gets a little worse each month. I figure I can make it through the summer, then pffftt, I’m out of luck.”

Gavin raised one brow. “Pffftt?”

“Yeah. I’ll be flat broke.”

“What about your family? They won’t help at all?”

“Hah!”

No. Her family didn’t sound like the type to pitch in. And Sara wasn’t the type to ask for help. She was an independent little thing. Several times when she’d been doing things to or for the house, he’d had to force her to let him help her. Ted hadn’t been anywhere around then, but he seldom was when work needed to be done and Gavin had enjoyed stepping in to fill the slot.

He remembered when he’d gotten his first apartment. His parents and his sisters had all come over with donations, things ranging from furniture to food to cash. And they’d all helped to paint and arrange furniture and prepare the apartment for him to move in. But Sara had no one. He couldn’t imagine being so totally…alone.

He looked at Sara. Her eyes were closed, and she appeared so serene, so accepting, he wanted to protect her, he wanted to declare himself. But it was too soon. He had to get her used to having him around more, had to give her time to adjust and get over her ridiculous prejudice against marriage.

He found some lunch meat, cheese and pickles and set them on the table for sandwiches. He also poured two large glasses of milk. When he sat in the chair opposite her and began stacking meat and cheese on the bread, her eyes opened. She gave him that killer smile, the tip of her crooked tooth just barely visible. He faltered, then shoved the loaded sandwich at her.

Rather than starting on the food, she continued to watch him, and Gavin knew he had to divert her attention or he’d never make it through the meal. “I could give you a loan.”

She bolted upright, nearly throwing herself off the chair. Outrage shone clearly in her expression. “Absolutely not!”

He’d known that would be her answer, but he wanted to help her. “Now, Sara—”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Gavin. For Pete’s sake, we’re only acquaintances, despite my rather lurid fantasies. And I have to face facts. If I can’t afford this place now, a loan isn’t going to help. I’d only end up in the same situation, but then I’d owe you, too.”

He stared, that part about “lurid fantasies” still singing through his brain.

“Gavin?”

She was right, but he wouldn’t accept her moving. He could alter his plans a bit, but he wouldn’t have them completely ruined. He wouldn’t give up. He’d spent months mapping out his strategy, and he wouldn’t let a little thing like finances get in his way. “Maybe…”

She held up a hand to stop him. “It’s not your problem. Besides, I’ve been working on it, and though I’d rather not, I think I may have come up with a solution.”

Thank goodness. Gavin nudged the sandwich toward her again, wanting her to eat. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to look for a roommate.”

It was a viable solution, he supposed, but…“Do you really want another woman living here?”

“Heck no. Women tend to run a household, to be territorial about where they live. They want to add their own little touches, leave their mark. This is my house, and I don’t intend to let someone else take it over. I’d rather go ahead and sell it first.”

She gave him a drunken leer, then explained with a flourish, “I was talking about a man.”

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