Page 44 of One Weekend in Seattle

“Sawyer?” Her voice squeaked.

“Please open the door, Gabby.”

Her fingers curled around the knob, her other hand on the security locks. She froze. Did she want to talk to Sawyer? Yes. No! Oh, heck. He’d come down here. She might as well hear him out. Though there was nothing he could say that would change the hurt she felt.

Was she going to do this? Yes. She turned the knob and pulled the door open, blocking entry with her body. “I don’t know what you want.”

His hair was disheveled, his shirt wrinkled, along with his pants. It had only been a little over a day, but he looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. This wasn’t the sophisticated, elegant man she was used to seeing.

“Can we talk? Please?”

Another please. Even his voice was scratchy. Fine. She’d hear him out, before sending him on his way.

“Come in.” She let go of the door and stepped back. Her heart was hurt, but Sawyer looked like he was hurting too. And she didn’t take joy in that.

Sawyer entered, and her apartment shrank. It wasn’t that big to begin with, but now it was extra small. She could smell his cologne. An image of him and her in bed together flashed in her mind. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

He glanced around her apartment. “Maybe not. It looks like I woke you up. I saw a café around the corner; why don’t we go there and have a chat?”

“I’m not sure what we have to talk about.” She really wasn’t. He’d lied to her.

“Please, Gabby. Let me explain, and if you want nothing to do with me after that, I’ll walk away.”

She blinked. He was giving her an out. This wasn’t the take-charge man she was used to. “All right. Let me change clothes, and I’ll meet you there in twenty.”

His face lit up, and he lifted his hand. His fingers brushed her cheek, and it was all Gabby could do not to press her cheek against his hand. “See you soon.” He turned and left her apartment.

She stood there for a moment before turning and going to the bedroom closet. Something to wear. Jeans and a shirt. Grabbing them, she went into her bathroom. How had Sawyer known where to find her?

Lindsay was more than likely the one who told him where she lived, and she must have had a good reason. Maybe she should call Lindsay to find out what Sawyer said to her. Gabby shook her head. No, this was her decision to make, no one else’s. She quickly cleaned up and dressed.

She grabbed her purse and made sure her keys and cell were in it before she left her apartment. Her hands shook as she locked the door. Was she nervous? Oh yes. She was curious what Sawyer had to say, but she was also apprehensive. What excuse was there for what he’d done?

Was she crazy to give him another chance? Maybe, but seeing him at her door had been a shock. He wasn’t the Sawyer she remembered from twenty-four hours ago. Oh, her body still went on alert and wanted to sink into his embrace. But her brain noticed the lines of strain around his eyes and the stiffness of his movements.

The little bell on the door to the café jingled as she opened it. She waved to the ladies behind the counter before she looked for Sawyer. She loved this quaint café. There he was, sitting at a table in the back. Gabby made her way over.

He stood when he saw her. Ever the gentleman. “Thank you for coming,” he said as she sat down.

“I’m not sure I should have.” Gabby folded her hands into her lap.

“Hey, Gabby. Coffee or something else?” the waitress asked.

“Coffee, please.” Her cup was poured, and Sawyer’s was topped off.

“Would you like to order now?”

Gabby ate here often enough to know the menu, but she wasn’t feeling hungry just yet. “Just coffee for now.”

“Same for me.”

“Okay, wave me down when you’re ready.” She smiled at Sawyer and walked away.

Sawyer stared at her. “Now that you’re here, I don’t know what to say.”

Gabby had plenty to say but, instead, asked the question that was burning a hole in her brain. “Why did you lie to me?”

He winced. “I didn’t technically lie. I do manage the club, but I didn’t mention I owned it. I didn’t see any reason to. We’d just met, and I had to be sure.” Sawyer placed his palms on the table.

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