Page 86 of Not On Your Life

I smirk. “That one was a stretch, but Millie would probably agree on occasion, so I’ll give it to you.”

She shoves my chest. “I don’t want you to give me anything!”

I grab her hands and keep them close. “That’s not what you were saying at the gym the other day.”

Her scowl could sear my eyebrows off.

Oops. Too far.

“Ugh!” She shoves my chest.

But she must have forgotten I still held her other hand, and by trying to overcorrect us, I unintentionally throw us off balance. I stumble over the edge of the pool, pulling her with me, and she falls into my chest as we splash into the pool. We are a tangle of limbs as we crash through the water.

I manage to keep an arm around her and pull her to the surface, scooting us a couple of feet toward the edge, away from all the people, where I can stand and hold her the way I need to.

She sputters on water and shoves her hair out of her face. She blinks to clear her eyes, but the water continues spilling out of them. No, she’s crying.

“Maddie.” I cup her cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

She tries to push me away, but I only hold her tighter. People have made room for us in the pool, but there are still too many bodies, too many people where there should only be the two of us.

“You threw a party instead of coming to dinner. My mom was devastated.”

I brush a wet strand of hair out of her eyes. “Was your mom the only one?”

“I don’t care what you do.”

Now who’s the liar?

She shoves me again, and I put both hands around her waist to keep her in place, despite the immature idiots playing chicken during our moment.

“We’re selling the house. That’s why I can’t train anymore. My parents left us with a lot of debt, and I’m trying to get out of it. This was Millie’s going away party. Even though we are staying in town.”

She frowns at me, her rich brown eyes more beautiful than an Arizona sunset.

“You have to sell your parents’ home?”

“We can’t afford it.” I swallow the emotion that thought invokes. I know it’s for the best, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier. “And three days ago I met a little boy who just lost his mother. The life insurance agent has screwed over his family, and I’m trying to help. I should have told you all of this and I’m sorry.”

“Why? It’s not like we are dating.” She ducks her chin to hide the emotion on her face, but I saw it.

“Not yet.” I say, “But I’d like to date you.” My hands slide to her hips.

Her eyes dart to my lips. Then back up to my eyes. I’m about to kiss her when she speaks up.

“It’s too late.”

I pull my head back. “What do you mean?”

“It means you still blew your chance. And I only promised you one.”

“But Maddie, I—”

“I know.” She holds up a hand to stop me. “I know I’m being selfish. But I need to think for a minute.”

“Okay?” Now I’m really confused. Does she mean right now? What is she thinking?

She pushes out of my grasp, and I let her go. “I mean, I need to think on my own. Away from you. You keep screwing everything up.”