Page 44 of Flirting With Forever
Or was it already too late?
Chapter Thirteen
Two more weeks passed before the island returned to a semblance of pre-hurricane normal, and by then, Thanksgiving was only a day away. The tourists and traffic returned along with snowbirds and out-of-towners checking on their properties to make sure repairs had been handled properly by rental management companies. Blue-tarped roofs were abundant, but every day there were a few less than before.
Gage had his hands full with ongoing issues and the increase in business, and there were BBQs and fundraisers to help those in need due to flooding or damage. The community gathered whenever a hurricane or tragedy struck. That’s one of the things he loved most about Carolina Cove. Didn’t mean he had an abundance of time for the activities, though.
He and Sloane had settled into a routine. Work, with her and Cole handling the rentals shop while he handled the other businesses he’d roped his brothers into backing. Then it was dinner either at home or out. Sloane didn’t like eating out, and he had a feeling it was because she didn’t like him insisting on paying the tab. But he wanted to treat her and knew she didn’t have money to spare or else she wouldn’t be in the position she was in.
At home, though… Sleeping in separate rooms after sitting on the couch and talking about their day was starting to feel strange. He knew they were connecting, forging something more than roommates or friendship. Still, he could also feel her attempting to withdraw from him, building five new barriers for every one he managed to break through, and he hated it.
But every now and again, she’d slip, and he was able to steal a kiss or a quick cuddle. For the briefest moment, she’d lean against him, burrow into him, respond to him, before she’d stiffen those shoulders of hers and pull away.
She still refused to confide in him about her past and family, and his frustration grew higher each day that passed, but he hoped with time she’d grow to trust him enough that one day she’d start talking and not stop until he knew everything. Maybe he hoped for too much. But he sensed her resolve weakening, which was why she tried so hard to fortify her defenses.
Balancing his public behavior where she was concerned became tougher whenever she was nearby. He was always aware of her, wanted to touch her, kiss her. Hold her close. Not maintain his distance and pretend to Alec and Brooks that they were just boss-employee.
To be fair, he wasn’t sure what they were, but it was more than that.
Cole picked up and read the situation with his usual insight, and Gage’s older brother continued giving him warning looks to tread carefully. But the rest of them?
No. He didn’t want his family riding him for details and issuing warnings where Sloane was concerned. Whatever happened, happened. And only time would tell.
On the way home from work, he video called Sloane and couldn’t stop the grin that formed when she answered. She was already home from her shift at the rentals building, standing in his kitchen. “Need me to stop and pick up any last-minute stuff?”
She appeared a bit frazzled but also fiercely determined, and it looked cute on her.
“No. I think I have everything for the recipe. Just know if it doesn’t turn out okay, I’m totally trashing it.”
“You are not,” he argued, forcing his gaze back to the road. “This is a five-star chef competition now. You and me. It’s on.”
“And you’re sure me being there is okay?”
He knew what she was asking because she’d already asked a dozen times. “It’s more than okay. I told you. Ky and his wife will be there. And Ana’s assistant manager might be coming as well. It’s a combination of family and Friendsgiving. Everyone is welcome.”
Sloane’s sweet face still looked hesitant and a whole lot guarded, but she nodded.
“Okay. That means I’d better get off of here and get started on this. So far, all I’ve done is gather everything up to have at hand.”
“Hop to it,” he said, glancing at the screen with an ornery grin. “It’s my pumpkin pie recipe against yours, and you can’t be hogging the oven all night.”
“So competitive,” she murmured.
“What can I say? It’s Monopoly and Two Truths and a Lie all over again. This time, though? When I win, I’m totally going for broke.”
“What does that mean?”
He glanced at the phone again and winked at her. “It’s a surprise.”
“No, no, no. No way. You have to warn me if you’re about to demand something crazy,” she drawled in that throaty tone of hers.
His grin widened because she just brought that out in him. “Okay, fine. If I win… I want you and me—and New Year’s Eve. We go and watch the beach ball drop and celebrate our two-month anniversary.”
An anniversary meant a commitment. And New Year’s Eve was over a month away, but it meant Sloane promising yet again to stick around. Maybe it was a sneaky way of getting her agreement, but he’d do whatever it took to make that happen, considering he still knew she was a flight risk. And if it came to bribing his family somehow to win, he’d do it. Maybe after that he’d figure out another game and keep Sloane until Valentine’s Day.
Seconds ticked by, and he glanced back at the phone screen. She watched him, but she was silent, her expression wary. “What’s your prize going to be?” he asked to fill the awkward void that stretched. “Not that you’re going to win.”
She gave him a small smile and softly laughed, but he could tell that both were forced. His gut clenched in response. He’d pushed. Too hard. And she wasn’t having it.
