Page 45 of The Sweetest Thing
“What?” She frowned at him.
“Leif.” He sighed. “You’re making that face again.” He pointed at her face.
“I don’t know whatthat facemeans.” She sighed. “But Leif didn’t do anything.” She glanced at Leif, nodding in his direction. “Just look.”
Dane looked. “What am I looking at?”
“Your brother.” Tansy waited, crossing her arms over her chest.
“How did he get paint all over his hand?” Dane was frowning now.
“Not that.” Tansy sighed. “Dane, come on. You don’t seewhat’s going on?”
Dane scratched his jaw, his brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at his little brother.
But Leif and Kerrielynn’s charged staring session ended when one of the middle school kids called her name. Kerrielynn took a deep breath, smiled at Leif again, then headed to the other kid.
Leif, however, continued to stare after the girl as if he were trying to figure something out. Something important. The deep breath he took was both perplexed and...yearning.
“That.” Tansy nudged him, hard.
Dane’s entire demeanor changed. “Oh.” He went from defensive to concerned in a flash—twice as perplexed as Leif. “Oh hell,” he murmured, shaking his head.
Tansy was so surprised, she started laughing. “What sort of response is that anyway? Isn’t having a crush part of adolescence? Kerrielynn is sweet and it looks like she might be crushing on Leif, too.”
“Looks can be deceiving, now, can’t they?” Dane’s jaw tightened as he glanced her way. “And Leif can’t afford to be disappointed right now.”
Tansy was still reeling from the solid accusation in Dane’s blue eyes. What did that even mean? And why was he looking at her like she’d done or said something wrong? He was worrying over Leif—that made more sense. “Kerrielynn wouldn’t string him along, if that’s what you’re worried about. What you see is what you get.”
His gaze remained locked with hers, searching. “I should take your word for that?” He shook his head. “That’s a relief.” He stalked off, moving one of the ladders around the side of the barn and putting a whole lot of space between them.
What had just happened? There was no way he... No, he wasn’t referring to what happened between them in high school. Besides, he’d been responsible for the whole mortifyingSay Anythingprom proposal. He’d been the one to lead her on and humiliate her—even if she had turned the tables on him at the last minute. He’d done that.Not me.So why did the snap in his words leave a sting? And why was she following him into the barn to find out?
DANERESTEDTHEladder on its side on the barn’s packed-dirt floor. It was cooler inside, the scents of earth and dust and cedar filling the air. And quiet, the conversation and laughter of the Junior Beekeepers muffled. He wiped his hands on a handkerchief as he inspected the thick beams and sturdy frame of the solid old structure.
In a minute, he’d go back out there, be an adult and act like nothing happened. Nothinghadhappened. But he wanted it to. All morning he’d fought the hold Tansy had on him.
He knew better. He did. He’d tried to ignore it, ignore her, but he couldn’t. The moment she’d smiled at him over the stupid clipboard comment, he knew he was in trouble.
Then, instead of being thankful she’d pointed out his little brother’s puppy-dog eyes for Kerrielynn, he’d let his frustration with himself get the best of him. Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind? Why couldn’t he cut out whatever it was that kept him tethered to her?
“What did that mean?” Tansy’s voice wasn’t exactly a surprise.
He braced himself as he turned to face her. She’d pulled the barn door closed behind her and stood, arms crossed over her chest, head tilted defiantly. Even in her too-big overalls and rubber boots embossed with bees and flowers, she was beautiful.Dammit. He tore his gaze from her, his frustration mounting. “I need a minute.” He tucked the rag back into his pocket. “Alone.”
Tansy stared at him, open-mouthed. “You’re telling me to leave?”
“Ideally, yes.”
A furrow creased her brow and her lips pressed flat but she didn’t move.
He stood there, doing his best to glare at her and wound up studying her mouth. She didn’t want this. Hell, she’d probably laugh at him if she knew what he was thinking. He was the damn fool. Touching her, kissing her, holding her in his arms. None of that was going to happen. But that didn’t stop a wave of pure, unfiltered want from slamming into him—so intense it damn near brought him to his knees.
“I was trying to help.” Her voice was soft, not nearly sassy enough.
This was where he should say thank you. Instead, he blurted, “I don’t need your help with my brother.” Which was a damn lie. He needed all the help he could get when it came to Leif—but he didn’t want it from her. Fighting was good—anything to pit a wedge between them.
“Fine.” The word erupted from her. A frustrated murmur spilled out before she said, “You are the most...”
