Page 41 of Objection to Love

“Are you any good?” she challenged.“Do you think companies would fly me across the country if I wasn’t?”

That sort of statement might have come across as arrogant from anyone else, but somehow, with Garrett, it seemed as if he was actually trying to be humble and not flat out say “yes” to her question.

“Across the country, huh? Where did you live last, then?”

“Maine.” He drank his milkshake. “And before that, Tennessee. Are you originally from around here?”

She nodded. “Denver area. My parents are still there. They force us into family dinners every so often.”

“Force?”

The lights in the back of the diner turned off, but the parlor lights stayed on. Em checked the clock on the wall, surprised they only had five minutes left until closing. She was even more surprised to realize she’d finished off her ice cream. Garrett’s milkshake was empty in front of him too. “I guess we should head out.”

Garrett looked back at the clock and shook his head. “We still have five minutes.”

“Most people would say weonlyhave five minutes.”

“Most people aren’t me.” His gaze matched hers. “And most people aren’t sitting with you.”

Heat, smooth and delicious, puddled in her chest at that look. She had to clear her throat before she could say anything. “Guess we’re staying for another five minutes, then.”

Chapter 15

Em

TheSaturdaymorningsunfelt brighter than it had the day before, and Em had an inexplicable desire to enjoy a moment on her front porch. She made herself a cup of hot chocolate and stepped outside to the sound of birds.

“Well, this is a surprise. Missed me, did you?”

Em’s mouth twisted to the side, but she glanced at Garrett with only half interest. At least, feigned half-interest. She was becoming like a moth to a flame with Garrett. She was attracted to his light… But she didn’t want to fly too close and get burned. Or worse… distracted from her ten-year plan by an unneeded relationship.

Crap. Everythingwasa relationship analogy.

She pushed her thoughts aside to answer him. “I simply wanted to enjoy aquietmorning.” She sat down on a chair. It wasn’t a rocking chair or a porch swing. Just an outdoor chair Em was fairly certain the previous owners left, and she hadn’t touched for years. But it did the job and was comfortable enough.

“I’m going to assume that means you missed me. I didn’t hear any sort ofobjection.”

Em took a sip from her hot chocolate, ignoring him. Trying to ignore him.

“Looking forward to our adventure in fun today?”

“Mmm,” was the only response she gave.

“My buddy Noah will be joining us. He’s in town for the weekend, and I thought it would be fun to have him along.”

Finally, Em gave him her full attention. Someone else to witness her humiliation? A friend of Garrett’s? Why did that make her feel so much anxiety?

“Oh?” she asked, hoping she sounded blandly curious, not anxious in the least. “How do you know him?”

“He’s a friend from high school. We’ve stayed close over the years, and he’s still in the area, so we see each other fairly often.”

Why, then, did Garrett have to see the man today, of all days?

“Judging by your expression, you're not too thrilled.” His low voice floated between their porches. “But trust me when I say it’ll be fun. Noah is really laid back and likable. By the end of the day, you’ll probably be wishing he was your neighbor, not me.”

He grinned self-deprecatingly and took a sip from his mug. The swing he sat on rocked back and forth, and Em was a little jealous that she only had the old chair to sit on.

“Currently, I’m wishing I didn’t have a neighbor at all.”

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