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I can’t take his hot and cold anymore. It’s confusing and frustrating.

“Hang on.” He catches my arm. “Where are you going tonight?”

I pull my arm out of his grip. “I’m not going through this again with you.”

“I just mean… the tread on those tires is pretty worn, and it looks like rain tonight. Or maybe you’re not driving?”

Fine. If he wants to play this nosey game, I’ll give him what he thinks he wants. “I’m meeting Ralph at the Watermark. I’ll be driving myself.”

His expression tightens, but his tone remains steady. “You should be okay to make that short drive. Call my cell if you have any problems. I’ll come get you.”

“I’m pretty sure Dad still has roadside assistance on the car. I’ll call them.”

I start to go out the door, but he puts his palm against the jamb, blocking my exit. “Those guys can take forever to find you on these little country roads. If you have any trouble, call me.”

“Do you mind?” I give him a hard glare, and he eases back, allowing his hand to slide down the door.

I take that opportunity to leave.

He can give the possessive act a rest.

I check in with my dad, making sure he eats some leftover shrimp and grits before I leave to meet my date. Since the Watermark is on the lake, I plan to spend the night at my grandparents’ old place, depending on how late we stay. Dad seems to be stable, and he promises me he’ll eat something. And get out of that damn chair.

I can’t sit at home forever tending to him.

While I dress and brush my hair, I try to remember the last time I even went on a date. I want to dispute Ruby’s claim, but she’s right. The last time was with a guy from school… Brent something. He escorted me to a college graduation banquet, some honors recognition. Romance was not involved. I was home by ten.

Tonight I stand facing the full-length mirror, inspecting the dark green silk dress I’m wearing. It has spaghetti straps and swishes around my thighs when I move. At the last minute I grab a thin, white cardigan in case it’s cool in the Watermark.

Shaking my head, I do my best independent-lady face.

“I’m not waiting on you anymore, Grayson Cole. It’s over.” My heart isn’t in the words, so I straighten my shoulders and say it slightly differently. “I’ve waited for you long enough.”

That sounds more convincing.

The Watermark is a long, wooden house, right on the banks of Lake Mary. It has porch views overlooking the enormous body of water and a full seafood menu. It’s about as fancy as local restaurants get around Oakville.

My hair sways over my shoulders and down my back in the light breeze as I walk. The cardigan is over my arm, and the hostess guides me to the patio table where my date waits. Across the railing, a long boardwalk extends over the lake, and the sun is just starting to set.

Ralph jumps out of his seat as I approach. “Andrea, you are as beautiful as ever.”

He leans forward to kiss my cheek, but the moment his lips touch my skin, my stomach turns.

He doesn’t smell right.

He doesn’t feel right.

Gah, Ruby was right—this is a horrible idea. What am I doing here?

I shake the doubts away. I’m an independent lady enjoying a nice dinner with a friend, not sitting at home waiting on a guy.

“Thank you, Ralph, and thanks for joining me tonight. It was such a pretty day, I just felt like doing something special.”

I try to create a friendly distance between us, a way out of this situation for later. Ralph’s not budging an inch.

He smiles, reaching for my hand. “And you thought of me. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I’ve waited so long for this.”

Distance-creation fail. Shit.