Page 30 of In Flight

“Of course he likes you. Who wouldn’t like you?”

My heart leaps at his gruff question, but then it settles when he hurriedly continues.

“I mean, he’s dated you for months now. Naturally he likes you.”

“Oh. I guess so. I was hoping maybe the relationship was easy for him and he’s just been going along with it.”

“Possibly. Guys will do that sometimes.”

“I know they do.”

“But I doubt it with you. You aren’t easy.”

“What?” My eyes are wide and round now as I fumble internally to figure out what he means.

“It’s not an insult,” he says, raising a hand like he’s surrendering. “It’s not a criticism. I’m saying that you aren’t the kind of woman who makes it easy on a man.”

“Why not? I think I’m nice and easy to get along with.”

“Of course you are. But you’re... secure. Sure of who you are. You’ve made a life for yourself and seem content with it. You don’t make a man feel like he can easily sweep in and be a manly hero.”

“Men don’t want that.”

“All men? No, probably not. But some men. You can be damn sure that a lot of men want to feel like they’re the hero and a woman needs them. You don’t really seem to need a man. It was one of the first things I noticed about you.”

“I... I...” I frown, deeply unsettled. I’ve never considered this idea before, and I don’t know how to feel about it. “I’m not really that standoffish, am I?”

“You’re not standoffish at all. You’re...” He glances away like he’s searching for the word. “You’re complete. You’re not waiting for a man to complete you. Because of that, a relationship with you isn’t going to be easy. A guy can’t slide into an empty slot preshaped for him. He has to work to make a place for himself. I don’t know anything about Cash, and I think he’s not been as giving as he could have been with you. But he’s not a complete loser. He saw something in you and went after it whether or not it was easy for him. I give him props for that.”

I’m flushed. Weirdly swoony when he stops talking. It’s not an entirely pure pleasure, however, since it’s mixed up with questions and confusion. I stare down at my unfinished scarf. “Oh. Well. I always try to be nice.”

“I know you do.”

“So I’ll break it to him as gently as I can.”

“I’m sure you will.” He gives a soft, wry chuckle. “Poor guy. Going along all this time thinking he’s done just enough to get and keep River Kennedy. Can’t blame him for doing what he can to avoid the crash that’s waiting for him.”

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