Chapter Ten #2
Jake could hardly string together a proper sentence during the ride into Whitefish. He felt so damn confused. It was one thing to decide Maureen was too much commitment when he was alone. A lot harder when she was sitting right next to him looking so damn beautiful.
“Are you okay, Jake?”
She’d already noticed something was different. He’d never make it through the evening. And he didn’t have to. He could claim he was sick or had a serious problem to do with the heli-skiing business. She’d understand. Or at least pretend to.
He needed something to talk about, something safe and neutral. So he filled her in on the progress of the upgrades at Grizzly Peaks. In great detail. Finally, she held up a hand and laughed.
“Okay, I get the picture. All is good. I’m not much of an expert when it comes to construction details.”
“You’re the one who said you wanted to be kept in the loop,” he reminded her.
“Consider me looped.”
He laughed, then glanced at her with admiration. Beautiful and funny and smart. No wonder she’d tied him in so many knots.
Maureen had booked reservations at a Mexican eatery. Not cozy and intimate, but friendly and upbeat. The waiter led them to a table in the center of the room. Out in full view. This was a good thing.
Yet touching her remained irresistible. A hand on the small of her back as they walked to the table; brushing his fingers over hers as he pointed out an item of interest on the menu.
They ordered margaritas—lime with no salt—and then he asked after Holly.
“Her friend Mads invited her for a sleepover. She’s thrilled. I just hope she doesn’t do any more spying on Max Strongman. I wouldn’t put it past him to hurt a young girl, I really wouldn’t.”
“I agree. But you have to admit Holly did some slick detecting. I had no idea Max and Beth were having an affair.”
“Me either. Do you think I would have used Beth as my Realtor if I’d known?” Maureen shuddered.
After their meals they ordered Mexican coffees.
Jake kept having to stop himself from inviting her back to his place for a drink.
He knew what would happen if he was alone with her.
And that was a line he couldn’t cross. Not if he wanted to keep their relationship from exploding into a life-altering commitment.
*
On the drive back to the lodge it was Maureen’s turn to be quiet. Jake had been good company this evening. They’d talked easily and laughed often.
But something about him was different. He broke off eye contact a few seconds too quickly. Pulled back whenever the conversation got personal. His dissertation on the construction at Grizzly Peaks had been almost comically technical.
It all added up to one thing.
His feelings for her had changed.
She shouldn’t be surprised. Not after her meltdown the other day. He’d said all the right things at the time. She’d thought it was because he understood her and he cared. But he’d only been acting from kindness.
Jake had liked her when she was strong and independent. It was only when she’d revealed her vulnerabilities that he’d pulled away.
Well, if he liked her tough, she’d be tough.
When he stopped at the lodge, she lost no time opening the door, making it clear she had no expectation of a kiss or romantic dalliance. “Thanks for the ride, Jake.”
“And thanks for the dinner. It was great.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. It’ll probably be the last meal I buy you. Next time we play tennis I intend to win.”
He laughed. “I’ll take that as a challenge.”
Before he could say anything else, she slid out of her seat to the ground. She gave a final wave before shutting the door, then headed to the house without looking back once.
That wasn’t a flash of hurt she’d seen in his eyes as she’d been leaving. It had been relief. He couldn’t believe he was getting off the hook so easily.
*
Jake had gotten the fun, casual dinner he’d thought he wanted. So why did he have this ache in his gut as he watched Maureen run into the lodge without giving him so much as a parting wave?
He turned the Expedition around and headed for home. On the drive, he replayed the evening, thinking of all the moments when he could have explained his change of heart, but hadn’t.
He’d broken up with women before. Why was it so difficult with Maureen?
When Jake walked in the back door of his town house, Lewis was there to meet him and practically exploded with affection. “Hey, buddy, it’s only been a few hours.” Still he laughed as the dog smothered him with licks and hugs.
Jake grabbed the leash and took the dog for a short walk. He passed a few people out doing the same with their pets, but when he asked, none of them recognized Lewis.
“How far from home are you, buddy?” Jake wondered. Maybe the owner was someone visiting from out of state. In any case, to not have an ID tag on their pet or get it microchipped had been irresponsible.
Later that evening, as Jake lay in bed, Lewis curled on the floor rug beside him, Jake thought again about Maureen.
In his mind he pictured her walking toward him at the start of the evening. His skin tingled. His heart raced.
Was it possible that he hadn’t broken up with her because he didn’t want to?
That despite all his reservations, he was already in love with her?