Page 47 of Further To Fall

“You’re probably right, but just be extra cautious about locking your doors and being aware of your surroundings.”

A smile came to my lips. “Some things never change, huh?”

Austin quirked his head to one side. “What?”

“You, being overprotective. Some things never change.”

He shook his head, a grin of his own present. “I guess not. Speaking of, I want to talk to you about a program I’m starting.” Austin launched into his vision for an after-school program that would serve boys and girls of all ages from low-income backgrounds. He planned on having self-defense and martial arts classes, tutors to help with homework, and would even serve the kids an after-school snack and dinner. He eventually wanted to provide the high school-aged kids college and career counseling, as well as matching them up with weekend jobs to build up savings.

I was blown away. “This all sounds incredible. How can I help?”

Austin had a smile on his face that looked as if it might crack his cheeks. “I could really use a second set of eyes and ears while I do the hiring. I know what to ask from a business and martial arts perspective, but not so much from a kid perspective.”

I nodded. “Sure, I’d be happy to pull together some good questions to ask and sit in on any interviews.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Are you available tomorrow after school? I’m having a few potential martial arts teachers come in and teach a sample class.”

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling on it. “I’m not sure I can do tomorrow. I have to take my car into the shop when class gets out, and Taylor is going to pick me up at the shop.”

“I can pick you up and drop you off at home afterward, it’s no problem.”

This was all progressing really quickly. I wasn’t sure how my little heart was going to handle all this togetherness time, but Austin looked so dang hopeful, I couldn’t say no. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay, I’ll text you the address of my mechanic when I get home.”

Austin rose from his chair. “Sounds good, let me walk you to your car.”

I got to my feet, slipping my purse over my shoulder. Austin guided me through the door with a hand on the small of my back. Just that tiny contact stoked the embers of the fire I had thought long-ago extinguished. The chemistry I felt for Austin was still there, so what? He didn’t feel the same. All I had to do was stay strong and keep my guard up. I could do it because I refused to end up back in love with a guy who was never going to love me back.

26

Carter

Icouldn’t help but have a huge grin on my face as I walked out of the gym with Austin. We’d spent the last four hours meeting with potential instructors for the youth program and discussing the candidates. Austin’s passion for the project was contagious, and I found myself daydreaming about all the things the program could accomplish.

Austin paused before opening the passenger car door for me. “How about I take you to dinner to celebrate?”

I stopped myself before the automatic “sure” could pop out of my mouth. Seventy-two hours of having Austin back in my life, and I was already in danger of slipping into old, familiar patterns. I needed distance. Some space and time to shore up my defenses. I toyed with my purse strap and bit down on the corner of my lip. “I think I’d better get home.”

Austin stared intently at me. “Come on, Carter, you have to eat.”

I pulled my shoulders back and looked him in the eye. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Austin said nothing, so I continued talking, trying to explain. “I just need to be better about boundaries.” My cheeks heated at the reminder of how I’d pined after Austin in the past. I never wanted to be that girl again.

A muscle in Austin’s cheek jumped as he ground his teeth together. “Okay, whatever you want.”

I slipped into the buttery-soft leather seats of Austin’s Range Rover as soon as he opened the door, setting my purse in my lap and trying desperately not to tell Austin I’d changed my mind. The car ride was quiet except for the sounds of the navigation system instructing Austin when to turn. My body grew tighter with each passing silent minute. I hated this awkwardness between us, but I didn’t see any way around it. I wasn’t willing to let myself fall back into being a total doormat when it came to Austin. I needed to stay strong.

Austin pulled to the side of the road, snagging a parking spot just a few houses down from mine and Taylor’s. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

I pulled the strap of my purse over my shoulder. “That isn’t necessary, my house is right there.”

He opened his car door. “I insist.”

“Of course, he insists, alpha-male overprotective nonsense,” I muttered to myself as I got out. With Joe out of prison, I should have been grateful, but Austin attempting to finagle us right back into the exact relationship we had been in before was getting on my last nerve.

“What did you say?” Austin asked as he rounded the front of the car.

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