Page 55 of Bargain with the Bachelor
Still, warmth spread through my chest and belly, making me feel like I’d just consumed a cup of decadent hot chocolate. “I see.”
“As for acting weird the past few days… I didn’t realize I was. I’m sorry about that. I wastryingto be normal.”
Hope formed in my heart like the bud of a new rose. But I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions. I’d taken Harry’s feelings for granted and had been horribly wrong about him.
“Why did you… have to ‘try?’ Why don’t you feel completely comfortable with me?”
Hunter didn’t answer, just sat there looking at me with a tortured expression on his face, so I decided to give him a little encouragement.
“There was no reason to be jealous today, you know—ifthat’s how you felt. Larson and I had a nice time, but nothing happened beyond talking. There’s nothing there between us. Not like there is with… other people.”
At his sudden intense stare, I clarified. “Oneother person, I should say.”
Hunter’s body relaxed, and the barest hint of a smile played at the edges of his lips. “Would I happen to know this lucky guy?”
I chuckled softly. Apparently he was going to make me do all the heavy lifting here. Well, I was going to make him work for it.
“Yes. It’s Tuck.”
His eyes popped wide, and he leaned forward in his chair. “What?”
I laughed. “Just kidding. Youknowwho I mean.”
Taking in Hunter’s relieved exhale and growing smile, I went on. “I was honestly surprised at your reaction to Larson today. I really didn’t think you’d care if I went out with someone.”
“I cared,” he said simply.
A sense of wonderment filled me. Was it possible Hunter and I had been living together these past few weeks, right under each other’s noses, and we’d each been feeling the same way but hiding it from the other?
“Why did you pretend not to?” I managed to whisper.
He shifted in his seat, glancing away at the dark window. “I didn’t think you’d want me to care. We’re… different.”
“We’re not so different. Unless you mean that you’re a smashing success, and I’m basically a homeless failure.”
Instead of laughing at my joke, Hunter frowned. “You’re not a failure. Why would you say that?”
I counted off the evidence on my fingers. “Underemployed, bumming rides, oh, and sponging off my high school buddies for a place to stay. I promise I’m working on that. I’ll be out of your hair soon.”
Hunter’s face went through a series of expressions, landing on irritation. He stood abruptly. “I should go. Like you said, it’s late. I wanted to apologize, and I did, so I should let mybuddyget some sleep.”
I stood as well. “Wait a minute—that’s it?”
“Yeah. I can apologize again if that’s what you want.”
“No, Hunter.”
I moved around the low coffee table and went to stand directly in front of him. We were so close now I had to tilt my head back to see his face.
“That isnotwhat I want. And I don’t believe that’s why you knocked on my door tonight. What I want is for you to tell me what you’re thinking. You would never talk to me back in high school, but we’re adults now, and I think we can manage to discuss our feelings like adults.”
He stared down at me, his gaze shifting from my eyes to my mouth and back again. But he said nothing.
I’m an idiot.What was I doing?
Not fifteen minutes ago, I’d made up my mind to move out of state, to go wherever I had to go, do whatever I had to do to take care of myself and stand on my own two feet.
Now here I was, essentially begging Hunter for crumbs of hope and affection—something he was either unable or unwilling to give.
