Page 97 of Lawton

I loved her.

But I couldn’t tell her – not yet. She'd never believe me. And even if she did, she'd peg me for the kind of guy who fell fast and forgot quick.

She'd be wrong.

I never fell – not until Chloe.

But now, with her achingly close, I wasn't going to scare her off. She was a forever kind of girl, so I'd wait. For how long, I didn't know.

Holding her tight, I didn't remember drifting off, but Ididremember waking to find my arms empty and the room cold and quiet. The window blinds were shut, but from the slanted sunlight, it was obviously morning. Or who knows? Maybe it was afternoon.

The room felt empty without her, and I muttered a low curse – not at her, but at myself. I'd promised her pancakes. Instead, I'd let her wander off and leave alone. I sat up. She hadn't walked home in the dark. Had she?

No. I felt my muscles relax. That's right. It was after dawn when I'd finally drifted off. I felt myself smile. I had to see her again – today, tonight, whatever. The sooner the better.

One way or another, I was going to make that girl mine.

Chapter 42

Chloe was laughing. "Pancakes?"

Standing in my kitchen, I spoke into my cell phone. "Yeah. I promised you them last night. Remember?"

"I didn't think you were serious."

I kept my voice solemn. "I never joke about pancakes."

"You cook?" Her tone grew teasing. "Seriously?"

"Um. No."

"Oh," she said with a laugh. "So who's gonna make them? Me?"

"Hey,I'llworry about that," I said. "Youjust let me know when you're ready. I'll come by, pick you up."

"You wouldn't have to pick me up," she said. "I'm just around the corner. I could walk."

Alone? Not a chance. I'd called her at noon, only to get her voicemail. Five hours later, she'd finally called me back. Now, it was almost dark.

"I'll come and get you," I said. "We can walk together."

She grew quiet, and I wondered why. Again, I thought of her house. Even now, she seemed hell-bent on keeping me away. Why was that?

I pushed those thought aside and added, "Hey, bring Chucky. He likes the place, right?"

"Well, he likes eating your clothes, that's for sure."

"Then say yes."

"I wish I could," she said, sounding like she meant it. "But I'm working tonight."

Say yes, anyway.

Blow it off, call in sick, whatever. Just say yes.

Her voice was hesitant. "So, maybe another time?"

I wasn't leaving anything to chance. "How about after work?" I asked. "What time do you get off?"