She couldn't keep the shock out of her features, even her voice betrayed her.
"I... I am so very happy for you."
"Thank you." But he looked anything but pleased.
"This is what you always wanted—” she blurted.
"I guess."
"We should celebrate,” she added quickly
"Of course.”
"Excuse me, I’ll go tell Celia.” With those words she fled, her heart breaking inside.
"Trinity—"
The voice came from behind her, but she ignored it. There was no reason to stay anymore since she had gotten her life back on track, and he had gotten the company he wanted. Initially, she had planned to stay until next year before moving to Seattle, but now she could move sooner.
There was no reason to stay here anymore.
She couldn't continue to live in this house, only to be reminded continuously that it was all just a deal. She needed more than that, more than that effortless kindness, more than the genial politeness. She loved him, loved him the moment he had opened up to her in the car, but now she knew she was only delaying the inevitable.
She had been just a listening ear, and she wanted more than the role of a woman desired.
She had done that before, and couldn't do it again. She wanted to be loved more than anything, and be loved by him. That was the real reason she was leaving—
Love.
?MICHAEL?
The indecision put a toll on Michael. He cursed at himself under his breath — he needed to leave already, but he couldn't just bring his body to do any of that.
They had gone back to being strangers, strangers who had a business deal and an energetic girl between them. Their sudden familial air was gone, and with it those perfect little moments when time seemed to slip away, just the three of them falling into their happy place.
Now she no longer looked at him nor speak to him unless it was necessary. Worst of all, she couldn't stand to be in the same room alone with him.
There was always something to be done; a perfectly reasonable excuse to give. That or she would make sure Miranda was with them — the perfect buffer. She was moving away from him, shifting back from the passion and affection that still shimmered between them.
It had been a few days since she had dropped her bombshell. Since then, he had not held her, not kissed her, or seen her smile by the curve of lips solely for him.
And by God he missed it.
He missed her.
Sometimes, he woke up at night with aches and regrets that threatened to undo him if he didn't take his mind off them.
He raised his hand to knock but backed away before he could do something stupid.
What was he going to say — that he wanted to make love to her?
It was stupid, so stupid.
When the door swung open, she almost crashed into him, stepping back at the last moment. She leaned against the door, a blank expression on her face.
"Can't sleep," he prompted.
“No."
