Page 57 of Noel Secrets

“No. A friend who was impressed with her.”

“Everyone’s impressed with Juliette and she doesn’t let down her guard for any man. Her husband was … the worst.” And that was saying something as Emery’s husband cheated on her as she suffered through two vicious rounds of cancer.

Price raised his brows and nodded, growing more solemn. Thinking of her sisters’ pain reminded her of her own. It was time to go. Removing the spoon, she closed the lid, licked the spoon clean, and leaned back in the chair.

“You’re finished?” Price raised an eyebrow.

“I’m saving it for later.”

“Impressive self-control.” He looked her over. He appeared impressed and drawn to her.

“Thank you.” She didn’t want to be done with their conversation, but trusting a man besides her dad wasn’t something she did often. Especially after several men wouldn’t take no for an answer. She shuddered and pushed the awful memories away.

Standing, she picked up her pudding. “I’m going to exercise even more self-control and walk away now. Thank you for the pudding. Nice to meet you, Price Sanderson.” She smiled at the surprise in his dark eyes and turned away.

She didn’t make it a single step. Price sprang to his feet, dodged around her, and was in her space. His strong form overshadowed her. They were close enough she could feel the warm brush of his breath against her forehead. He didn’t touch her, which worked in his favor if he had a hope of winning her trust. Instead of feeling afraid as she’d instinctively learned to react when a man got too close, she felt even more drawn to him.

“You’re fast,” she breathed, tilting her head back to study him.

“Occupational hazard.” His dark eyes were intent on her face.

Addie smiled even as she evaluated how she was feeling. Her pulse raced, but only for good reasons—the appeal of this man. She said a prayer of gratitude that she didn’t have the urge to back away as she normally would with any stranger who got too close, and sometimes even with men she’d known for a while.

With Price, she felt the years rewind. Her pain and walls floated away like wispy clouds on a summer’s day. She was like a young, guileless girl flirting with the hometown hero.

She clutched her banana pudding and anticipated his next words.

“Meet me again in four days,” he said.

The words weren’t a question. Despite her insecurities with the male species, she liked a confident man. A lot. No way would she let him know that, however, or give in too easy.

“And if I don’t?” She blinked at him, liking the tease and liking that he wasn’t pushing her too fast. Pudding in four days was reasonable and something she could look forward to.

Addie had dated a lot of men. Most were fabulous guys. Some were pushy and needy. A few were downright terrifying. She hated that the scary ones had rewritten her natural trust and friendliness. She still liked to flirt and tease, but she was wary and very smart about never being alone with a man or giving out her home address.

“I could use my superior tracking skills and resources and find you,” he said.

A thrill ran through her. It was equal parts scary and exciting that he could do such a thing. It was clear he wasn’t bluffing. She tilted her chin imperiously, reverting to the wariness she’d learned over the years instead of her own innate spontaneity. Her natural inclinations had gotten her in trouble. It wassmarter to be safe, no matter how appealing and seemingly trustworthy Price was.

“You try that,” she said softly, “and I’ll …”

What could she threaten such a man with? His dark eyes were intent on her face, but she could see he knew there was nothing she could threaten him with. If a man as tough and experienced as Price wanted to find her, there was little she could do to stop him. She’d found out with several men she’d dated that even a restraining order didn’t secure peace of mind. “I’ll never eat banana pudding with you again.”

“Now that is a disturbing threat.” His gaze trailed over her face. He didn’t seem put off by her threat, but he was acknowledging she could keep up with his banter. “Don’t miss our meeting Friday then. I’d hate to not experience more banana pudding time with you.”

She couldn’t hide her smile. Relief that he wanted to spend more time with her but wasn’t pushing her too fast and wouldn’t actually track her down washed over her. Price Sanderson seemed like a good man indeed.

“Same time and place?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Say your prayers and we’ll see if the stars align for you.”

He smirked at that. Instead of pushing her for more, he stepped back and tilted his chin up to her. “I’ll be seeing you.” The words were confident and sincere.

Addie held up her pudding box, not confirming or denying that he tugged her in. “Thanks again for buying me the best pudding on earth.”

“Sure thing.”