Page 14 of Say Yes

CHAPTER 4

GAVIN STARED, feeling as if someone had just sucker-punched him in the gut. Was she trying to kill him? Sara with yet another man? Hell no! He’d only just gotten rid of Ted-the-despicable. He had no intention of going through that personal hell again.

She gave him a sleepy smile, unaware of how tense he’d become or the agony she caused. He watched as she folded her arms on the table, then rested her head there. She continued to watch him, and she continued to smile. She looked…adoring, and that made him uneasy. After a deep sigh, she said, “I’ve always thought you were the most beautiful man.”

Ridiculously he felt a blush inching up his neck. Thank God it was too dark for her to see, even though her gaze was direct and very intent. “Eat your sandwich, Sara.”

She chuckled at his brusque tone. “I’m not all that hungry.”

He took a vicious bite of his own ham and cheese. The room was so silent, he could hear himself chew. He also heard her small, dreamy sighs. “Where, exactly, do you intend to find this person who will live with you?” He couldn’t quite bring himself to specify a male.

“I’m not sure yet.” She gave an elaborate shrug. “I suppose I’d want someone willing to pitch in, not just expect me to do all the work. And he’d absolutely have to be fun. I can’t stand a sourpuss. And he’d have to like pets. I really do want a pet. Maybe a cute little floppy-eared puppy. There’s always plenty of them at the shelter that need homes. Too many, in fact. We’re nearly full now, and still, every day, someone drops off a litter and…”

“Sara?” He couldn’t bear it if she started crying again.

“Hmm?”

“You’re digressing. Where do you intend to find this paragon who’ll live with you?”

“I suppose I could ask around at the office on Monday. Or maybe I could run one of those ads.”

“No! No ads.” Her eyes widened at his tone, and he shook his head, then paced away from the table. “You don’t know what kind of crazy might show up with an open ad.”

He couldn’t exactly picture her questioning the men at her office, either. She worked as a secretary for a large corporate firm, and the people there were very stuffy. He knew, because he’d done some contracting for them. How Sara could thrive in that environment, he didn’t know. All those suits and exacting regulations would have driven him batty. But for Sara, who always smiled and carried a cheerful disposition, it would be doubly difficult. He supposed it was just one more example of her ability to overcome the obstacles in her life. She’d evidently learned to adapt with her parents, and with her work. But there was only so much adapting a gentle, honest woman like her could do.

And that was why she wanted a dog.

Did she really think having a pet would fill her life? Did she think a dog could act as a buffer against the outside world? He was certainly no psychologist, but it seemed obvious to him Sara wanted to be loved, despite her new resolve not to marry. And since she’d given up on finding a man to fulfill that important task, she was willing to give the duty to a pet.

He snorted. She’d just have to settle for him, and that was that.

But how to convince her? He chewed his lip a moment, undecided, but he knew in his heart what he would do. He stared at the window and tried to keep his body inattentive to his plans. He cleared his throat. “I suppose there’s only one solution.”

He waited for Sara to ask him to explain, and when she didn’t, he turned to frown at her. “Sara?”

His only response was a soft, snuffling snore.

Amused, he smiled at the picture she made. Her mouth was open, one cheek smooshed up by her arm, and even when he smoothed a hand over her hair, she didn’t stir.

Well now. It was Friday. She didn’t have to be at work tomorrow, and neither did he. All kinds of possibilities presented themselves, and this time he’d throw nobility out the door. All’s fair in love and war, and with Sara, he had a feeling it would be a balancing act of each.

Unfortunately he’d have to start with the war.

* * *

THE SUN WAS BRIGHT when Sara opened her eyes. She stretched, then winced at the pain in her head. She felt lethargic and didn’t particularly want to get up, which was unusual because she usually woke easily.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, noticed she wore a badly rumpled sundress instead of her nightgown and then she remembered.

She’d gotten drunk last night.

She’d gotten drunk and hit on Gavin.

Mortified, she pressed a hand to her chest to contain her racing heart, trying to remember everything she’d said to Gavin. Though her head pounded from her overindulgence, it unfortunately didn’t obliterate her memory. She recalled several damning tidbits of conversation that had slid silkily off her muddled tongue, and she knew for a fact she’d simply curl and die if she ever had to face him again.

He sauntered through her bedroom door carrying coffee and wearing a wide smile. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

She quickly closed her eyes. Death had to be imminent.

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