Page 78 of Final Approach

“And I don’t talk about it. Ever. To anyone.”

She wanted to ask, why her? Why now? Instead she bit her lip, then leaned over the console to wrap him in an awkward hug. He shifted and returned it, burying his face in the side of her neck for a long moment. After a few seconds, he pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. Silent. Staring. She refused to break contact and let him look, wondering what he was hoping to find. Finally, he cupped her cheek and she caught her breath, thinking he was going to kiss her.

Instead he touched her lips with his thumb and shook his head. “Not here.”

She blinked. “What?”

“The first time I kiss you is not going to be in the front of a Bucar.”

“The first time you—” She chuckled. Then laughed. He wanted to kiss her. And planned to do so more than once.

He frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“You.” Her laughter faded. “But not funny in a mean or weird way. I like it.”

“Good. Because I do want to kiss you. It’s just that Cole told me something a while back that stuck with me. He said he waited for the perfect moment to kiss Kenzie, and I thought that was somehow ... right.”

She smiled. “Kenzie told me that too. She said it made it super special.” She touched his cheek and decided, since she was being honest, she’d just lay it all out there. “Kissing means something to me, Andrew. I haven’t had a lot of relationships in my life. I think that’s why Jesslyn and I are so close. She hasn’t either.” She shrugged. “I’ve dated a few people, even thought I might marry one of them before he decided he wanted the benefits of marriage without the ceremony—and he didn’t want me to have anything to do with my dad. Who, in his defense, was being incredibly obnoxious and controlling. But, still, it hurt. And scared me off getting close to someone. But you’re different.”

“How so?”

She shook her head. “I honestly don’t know if I can explain it. I think it’s mostly because I admire you. Have a lot of respect for you.It attracts me to you.” Not to mention his rugged good looks and killer smile, but she wasn’t about to say that. At least not yet. Maybe later. After their first kiss. She sucked in a breath and sat back. “You’re dangerous for me. I don’t want to get hurt again.”

“I don’t know anyone who does.” He paused. “And since you’re being so open and vulnerable, I’ll say that I feel the same way. I have baggage that I’m not sure is fair to inflict on someone else.”

She shot him a small smile. “Who doesn’t?” She looked away, wondering if she should say more.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing. You need to go. Nathan’s waiting on you.”

“He can wait a few more minutes. Tell me.”

“Matt broke up with me because ... well, for a lot of reasons, I suppose, but you want to know what the biggie was?”

“Because he’s an idiot?”

She snickered, then sobered. “No. Well, yes, there’s that, but no. And it wasn’t solely because I refused to sleep with him before we were married either, although I do think it played a role in everything. It really was because of my dad.”

“I know you’ve mentioned he’s a bit of a helicopter parent, but is there more?”

“Yeah. A lot more, and Matt couldn’t deal with my dad’s constant showing up, calling, and texting. And I honestly didn’t blame him.”

“I haven’t really noticed that.”

“I haven’t let you.” She paused and frowned. “And it does seem like it’s been a lot less since Emily’s accident. He’s distracted right now, but once she’s back on her feet and living her life again, I feel sure his annoying behavior will start up again.”

“Have you talked to him about this?”

“Yes. Bluntly. He listens, apologizes, and then all is well for a while. Then he reverts back to his old behaviors. I try to understand. He’s lonely. Still talks about missing my mom.” She gave a light shrug. “I wish he’d start dating, but he says no way, that my mother was the only one for him.”

“Your dad wouldn’t scare me away.”

“Hmm. Well, I’m not sure we need to find that out.” She pushed the car door open and stepped out. “Go see what you can find at Leary’s house. We’ll talk later.”

“Kristine...” He sighed. “Yeah. Okay.”

She made her way into the hospital, watching Andrew’s reflection in the window. He waited until she was safely inside before he pulled away.