Page 73 of Just One Night Together
She’d accomplished what she’d come to do.
He wasn’t going to thank her or invite her in or continue their relationship in any way. He might not even tell her when the service was going to be.
They weren’t friends, to his thinking.
This really was the end.
It was time to leave.
Haley pivoted and walked down to the sidewalk. She told herself to be glad that she might have made a difference, but that didn’t feel like nearly enough.
She was startled when Damon spoke. “You still have that cat?”
“Of course.” She turned to look back at him, still standing on the top step, keys in his hand. She couldn’t read his expression, but that didn’t surprise her.
“Did you name him yet?”
“No. I can’t decide.”
“I still like Ninja.” He watched her closely, almost smiling. “That was a pretty impressive stealth attack.”
Haley blushed a little, easily remembering what they’d been doing when the cat attacked Damon. “I could call him Defender of She Who Gives Fish.”
“A bit long.”
“It is.” She nodded. “Ninja, then.” She already knew she’d think of Damon every time she saw that cat, so why not? “He’s always stalking something, sometimes even me.”
Damon did smile then. “That’s an easy impulse to understand.”
Haley dared to step closer again. “Don’t get all complimentary on me now,” she said, sounding as gruff as he usually did.
“I should ask you to stop messing with my expectations.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I would have said no, but you’re changing my mind.” Damon grinned briefly and Haley felt like the sun had come out.
Even when the smile faded, she wasn’t sure what to think of that confession, never mind the appreciative glint in his eyes.
His eyes seeming particularly dark. “Thank you for acting like a friend, Haley, even when I don’t. I’ve got some things to learn from you.”
She had a huge lump in her throat. “You’re welcome.”
“So,” he said, eying his keys in the lock. “Seeing as we’re friends and all, did you want to come in for a coffee?”
“Coffee?”
“My way of saying thanks. Or, given the time, dinner.”
He looked so hopeful that Haley took a chance. “That’s not your usual offer.”
“No.” His eyes brightened.
“I’d rather have sex than coffee,” she said and felt audacious.
Damon chuckled. “Yeah, so would I. I was working up to asking you.”
Haley strolled back toward him, smiling a little more with every step. “What a nefarious plan. Get me into your house, then lull me into complacency with coffee or food...”
