Page 93 of Into the Fire

But if he didn’t answer her question, how could he ever expect her to trust him with the secrets of her heart?

It was a dilemma of the first order. And he had only a handful of moments to choose which fork in the road he was going to take.

EIGHTEEN

SHE’D OVERSTEPPED.

Stomach clenching, Bri pushed her plate aside and knitted her fingers together on the table. “Sorry. Ignore that last question. I don’t expect you to—”

“Wait.” He held up a hand. Took a deep breath. “This isn’t a subject I talk about—ever—but you should hear the story.”

“Why?” The response spilled out before she could stop it.

He locked on to her gaze. “If people are interested in deepening a relationship, I don’t think there should be any secrets between them. Do you?”

Silence fell between them as Bri digested his comment ... and his question.

He was putting his game plan for them out there and asking if she was willing to share her secrets too.

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. Why should one person in a relationship expose his warts and foibles and vulnerabilities unless the other person was prepared to reciprocate?

But was she ready to make that sort of commitment?

Bri gathered up a few crumbs of crust and put them on her plate. “No. But don’t you think it’s kind of soon to be having such a serious discussion? We’ve only known each other three weeks.”

“It seems longer to me. Maybe because I felt a strong connection to you from the beginning. Like Nan always said she felt with Pops. Unless my instincts are off, you felt it too.”

If he was willing to lay it all out there, she may as well do the same.

“Your instincts aren’t off. But what if it’s nothing more than physical attraction? Hormones can’t sustain a relationship long term.”

“They’re a start, though.” He grinned and lifted his can in salute, then grew more serious. “But I think the potential is deeper than that, which is why I’m willing to tell you a secret about my early life that no one else knows. Not even my grandmother. Definitely not Serena.”

Her pulse skittered.

Wow.

Their share-a-pizza-and-a-little-background dinner was rapidly morphing into a no-holds-barred soul-baring session.

She examined her raw knuckles. “I appreciate your honesty, but I have to admit I’m a tad nervous about the pace you’re setting.”

“You know what they say about he who hesitates.” He flashed her a smile, breaking the serious mood as he took a sip of soda. “But I’m willing to table this discussion for now if you want to think about whether you’re ready to take the leap with me.”

He was giving her an out.

Should she take it? Play this safe? Let fear rule her life?

She flicked a glance toward the magnet on her fridge.

Sometimes you must dare to jump.

Could this be one of those times?

She inhaled long and slow. Listened to her heart. Made her decision.

“Let’s go ahead and talk.”

He gave a slow blink, as if he’d already psyched himself up to shut the discussion down and shift gears. Then he lifted his empty soda can. “Mind if I get a refill first?”

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