Page 29 of Bryce

“How was it?”

He was so caught upin his own misery that her words barely penetrated his misery.

“What?”

“Your shoppingtrip. How was it?”

“An adventure.”Forcing himself to get his feelings under control, he turned to faceher and realized she was staring at him curiously. “It’smy first and hopefully not my last. I have some phone calls to make,if you’d excuse me?”

“Bryce?”Her voice stopped him just as he got to the doorway.

“Yes?”

“Thanks. Ireally appreciate what you did today.”

“Anytime.”He said with a distracted smile before making his way out.

He did not stop untilhe was inside his room and the door closed. Heading to the tablewhere he stored the liquor, he poured a generous amount and broughtit with him to sit on the bed. Someone had started a fire in thehearth, and it lent a cozy glow to the room. But not enough to dealwith the chill inside him.

The day’sadventure was a distant memory, and he cursed himself for a fool.What the hell did he think? That he was somehow setting up house withher? Running to do her errand like some lovesick idiot? What was thatproving? That he was a normal person and that there were no milesbetween them?

Because there were.He was born in luxury and had been privileged his entire life. Itdoes not matter how much he lacked when he was growing up. Love hadnever entered his household.

And he had stoppedhoping for it a long time ago. He could justify it until he was bluein the face. They were not the same. Yes, they had shared pain andmisery growing up, but they did not belong together.

At the end of histime, whenever that was, he was going to have to leave. And when thattime come, saying goodbye to her was the worst thing he would everhave to do.

Chapter 8

“A littlebirdie told me that the hottie movie star was running errands for youall of yesterday.” Placing a protective hand over her bulgingbelly, Sandra lowered herself into the comfortable sofa facing thewindow and prayed that she would be able to get up again.

“Little birdieotherwise known as Gretchen?” Zahra asked dryly as she stirredher hot cocoa.

She had felt the needto escape this morning. So, after preparing a full continentalbreakfast, she had grabbed her purse and driven into town to visither friend. Last night she had been unable to sleep much. And to makethings worse, this morning she had rose early as usual and gone tothe window.

He had gone for a runand stopped in her line of vision. As if her presence had been felt,he had looked up and saw her framed there. It had been too late todraw back, so pride had her standing there and returning his gaze.She had been caught staring at him.

To his credit, he hadlifted his hand in a wave and went on his way. But he was still notwearing the proper clothing. She had escaped before he came down forbreakfast.

Sandra grinned. “Hestopped in at the pastry place to grab a few things not on your list.And Gretchen of course plied him with questions and fruit compote.“She looked at her friend curiously. “How does it feel tohave a man like that at your beck and call?”

“He’s notat my beck and call.” For some reason, which irritated her.“Bryce Whitlock is not at anyone’s beck and call.”

“And yet, hewent out of his way to pick stuff up for you.” Sandra rubbedher belly when she felt a twinge. “What aren’t youtelling me about this friendship with the man?”

“What else isthere? We were there for each other at the lowest point in our livesand that’s it.”

“Uhm.”

“Stop that.”Leaping up from the table, Zahra went to grab the pot of cocoa herfriend had prepared. Coming back to the table, she poured some morein their cups.

“Honey, if yourskin tone was any lighter, you would be blushing.” Her eyeswent wide. “Oh, Christ in Heaven! You were lovers!”

“What?”Zahra jerked the cup and cursed as she spilled some of the hot liquidon her hand. Cursing ripely, she grabbed napkin and dabbed furiously,looking around to make sure that no one else was within earshot.

It was too early forthe usual flow of customers, and they were alone in the store, butstill… “Don’t be ridiculous.” Her tone wassharp and this told her friend exactly what she wanted to know.

“I recall whenwe were just starting out as friends, and you mentioned this guy youwere involved with when you were seventeen.” Sandra’seyes rounded. “It’s him. Bryce Whitlock.” Leaningforward, she gazed at her friend in wonder. “He was the guy youwere never able to forget.”

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