“I’m not pushing anyone away. I’m just running my business.”
He hangs them on a hook. “I don’t know. Seems like this might be a tad bit more than a job.”
I replace my tools while Carson locks the garage doors.
He passes me and slaps me on the shoulder. “Let’s go to Crusins. You owe me dinner and beer.”
“I don’t owe you shit.”
He laughs. “I beg to differ.” He waits by the door, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’ll think about this and realize I’m right. On top of that, I don’t think you’ve stopped to consider that maybe Sarah might need somebody, too. Not somebody to take care of her. A friend. A partner. Someone she can actually trust and rely on.”
I look at him, and he only stares back. I need to fire his ass. He’s too damn insightful to be here.
From what I’ve seen, it’s very likely Sarah needs someone, but I’m not sure if that person should be me. I don’t know her story or what brought her here, and I’m not interested in entering a situation where I can’t see what’s coming.
I did that once, and I was blindsided by my own immaturity and stupidity.
I hit the light switches, turning off the big overhead lights. “If you’re so damn smart and know what you want, what in the hell are you still doing here? Why aren’t you out there doing it? You don’t belong in this garage, and you know it.”
He leans against the counter, his gaze shifting into something harder.
I hit a nerve. He’s been throwing jabs all night at my weak spots.
Take that shithead.
“It’s called strategy. I’m biding my time and figuring out how and when to make my move.” One side of his mouth curls upward. “So, for now, you’re stuck with me.”
I roll my eyes and pull my cap lower. “Shit. You’re more like me than you’ll ever admit.”
He pulls the door open. “Nah. The difference between you and me is that I have hope. Hope that someday, I’m going to get exactly what I want.”
There was a time when I wanted everything he described and thought I’d have it. But that blew all to hell, and I’ve been unwilling to even think about trying it again ever since.
That is, until the stubborn girl next door strolled in, never once giving a single shit about barriers and all the layers I’ve honed into place to lock it all out.
But now, it’s possible I’m seeing glimmers of what I thought I was done wanting long ago.
The problem is, once you have feelings like that—or hope, as Carson calls it—they can vanish just as quickly as youlet them rise.
Chapter 12
SARAH
I stare at my phone, my heel clicking against the clear, plastic mat. I’ve been sweating this for three days, but it’s time to bite the bullet.
ME: Are you moving to a new network?
I sit, waiting for the three little dots to appear. Nothing.
I jump at a knock on my office door.
“Sorry.” Griffin stands in the doorway, minus his suit coat. “I’m checking to see if you’re interested in sitting in on the Connor case. Since you compiled and provided a valuation for all the assets, I thought you might like to see how things are settled. Unless you have a deadline to meet for Kat.”
“No. I’d love to attend,” I say, snatching up the opportunity.
He checks his watch. “Ok. Great. I’ll meet you out front in fifteen.”
“Sure.”
