Page 76 of Jilted

I dropped my head and closed my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Maybe not last night. But the life I’ve been leading has come back to bite me in the ass, and that’s my fault.” I shook my head. “Not just last night, but in general. You have doubts about my intentions, and I really can’t blame you. You do the same thing over and over enough times, people start to be able to predict the future. Even I question if I’m capable of being the man you deserve. I don’t want to hurt you, Sloane.”

She bumped her shoulder with mine. “I think both of our pasts are getting in the way of our future. I won’t lie and say your dating history doesn’t give me some concern, but it’s not the biggest reason I’ve been keeping you at a distance.”

“It’s not?”

She shook her head. “My own past has left me with a lot of insecurities and self-esteem issues, if I’m being honest. I was afraid to believe you actually liked me, and this wasn’t just about the chase.”

“Was? Does that mean you believe me now?”

She smiled. “Well, it’s either that or you’re a serial killer.”

I laughed. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

“I saw the screen saver on your laptop, with all the pictures of me. It made me understand howyousee me, instead of howI’vebeen seeing me.”

I brushed a piece of hair from Sloane’s cheek and looked into her eyes. “I see you as beautiful, inside and out.”

Her face went soft. “I believe you do. I’m not sure you’re right, but I finally understand that’s really what you see.”

“Good.” I kissed her forehead. “Because this is one thick skull to get things through.”

She smiled. “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”

I took her hands. “Will you let me take you out now? On a date?”

“When?”

“Tonight.”

“I can’t. I’m leaving. My flight is at nine. I have to be at work on Tuesday.”

“But you would go out with me if your flight wasn’t today?”

She nodded. “Maybe we can do it next time you’re in New York?”

No way in hell was I waiting another day, much less until I got back to New York, now that she’d said she’d give me a chance. I looked around and found my phone on the end table. The little battery symbol at the top was red, but at least it was working. I called up my contacts and scrolled down to D. Finding the name I wanted, I hit the call button and brought the phone to my ear.

Sloane’s cute little nose wrinkled. “Who are you calling?”

I held up a finger and waited. One ring. Two rings. Three. I started to think he wasn’t going to answer, but then a deep voice came on.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Dad.”

Sloane’s eyes bulged.

“What’s up, kiddo?” my father said.

“Do you remember that park I had you take Mom to years ago, when you came to stay with her at the end?”

“The church ruins she loved so much?”

“That’s the one.”

---