Page 73 of Moonlight Feels Right
"It's not a big deal. I'm happy to do it."
"Let's go, Livvy," Bree said. "We need to get started on our errands."
They left, leaving her alone with Hunter again.
"Bree really appreciates what you're doing, Em."
"Like I said, it's really no trouble."
"What are you doing the rest of the day?" he asked.
"I'm going to visit my mom and my aunt."
"I hope they're both doing well. Are you going to tell your mother about the police investigation into Haven?"
"I'm debating how much I want to get into that. I can't believe she was involved in criminal activity, but I don't know. She's been with the group for more than twenty years. She probably knows a lot more than she would ever say."
"The police will probably want to talk to her."
"I know. I will tell her. I just want her to stay focused on getting better. I want her to see how good life is away from that horrible place."
He nodded, giving her a small smile. "She doesn't deserve you."
"I might agree with that," she said, happy as the tension between them finally eased. "What are your plans today?"
"I'm shockingly free again, now that Bree is back. Do you feel like some company? I wouldn't mind getting out of here, taking a drive down to La Jolla with you. Just as friends, of course. I'm going to follow your rules, Em."
Seeing the gleam in his eyes, she said, "I feel like you're mocking my rules, Hunter."
"I'm really not. I just like spending time with you. And I'm curious to see how your mother is doing."
"You really want to spend time with me and my dysfunctional family?"
"I do. I understand you want to cool things down between us, but we don't have to go from a hundred miles an hour to zero. There is a middle ground."
"I'm not sure about that, but…"
His eyes brightened. "I think I'm going to like this but."
"Why do you have to be so charming and nice?" she complained. "It would be easier if you went back to that dark, grumpy guy who didn't want to spend ten seconds talking to me."
"He's gone, Em. Not coming back. And you're a big reason why. So, how about we hang out together today?"
She couldn't help but give in, because she wanted to spend time with him, and he was making it impossible to say no by being so damn reasonable. "Fine, if you want to come with me as my friend, then I won't say no. But that's it. No kissing. No touching. Nothing else."
"Got it. Nothing will happen that you don't want to happen."
"That's what you said last night and look what happened."
He grinned. "Maybe because we both want the same thing."
"I never said we didn't," she muttered. "That's not the problem, and you know it."
"I might fail my tests, Em. The review board might not reinstate me. That is a real possibility. I might not be going anywhere."
She gazed into his eyes. "I want to be very clear about something, Hunter. I don't want you to fail. I want you to get your job back because you deserve it. If that means you have to leave, then that's okay. I'm not rooting against you."
His jaw tightened, as he gave a nod. "Thanks. I appreciate that." He paused. "Let me also be clear about something. I want to spend as much time with you as I possibly can. If that's friends only, I'll accept that. But I can't accept no contact. I can't act like I don't give a damn about you."
