Page 16 of Forever Mine

A driver laid on his horn, and Scott waited before he answered, “Here, in Miami. Just farther out.”

“So why are you in the hotel?”

“Diana felt that since I have so many sessions, it would be easier if I stayed on site.”

“Makes sense.” I wriggled my fingers against his. “I guess you know all the hotspots, huh?”

He chuckled. “Do I look like a party animal?”

I studied his long-sleeved shirt and black corduroys. “Looks are deceiving.”

He looked at me sideways before one of his eyebrows tilted. “If we’re going by looks, then I’d say you fit the image of a party animal.”

Hand to my chest, I said, “Because I dress well?”

“Nah, not only that. You have this air about you.”

“What air?” I tilted my head to look at him, deafened for a few seconds by a Toyota truck whizzing past us with rap music pounding the airwaves.

“You seem aloof, like a model who’s in her own world. As if everybody should pause when you walk into a room.”

My brows crinkled. “I should hope not. This girl knows the world doesn't revolve around her.”

“I wish more women thought the way you did.”

“You sound a little bitter.” I stopped, which forced him to a halt. “Shouldn’t things be hunky dory since you’re getting married and all?”

His gaze was dark under the street light. “I told you to believe none of what you hear.”

His surly answer warned me not to pry.

We continued walking and after we crossed another street, he tugged my fingers until I met his gaze. “I’m not engaged.”

Since I didn’t want to sound inquisitive, I waited for him to continue.

“Not anymore,” he said, rubbing his forehead.

My curiosity went into overdrive, but I kept a serene expression in place, as if I wasn’t dying to know more. I remembered his conversation on the phone while we were checking in. He’d sounded annoyed, and if I thought hard enough, I’d remember the name of the woman he’d been talking with that afternoon.

“Aren’t you going to ask me why?”

“Nope.” I raised our joined hands. “Despite this, we’re just passing time together and when we leave here, that’s it.”

Scott hiked his brows, then stopped and met my eyes. “Are you blunt or what?”

I chuckled and got us moving again. “We both need to be on the same page.”

“I agree with you there,” he said, “Couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Except for the fact that I’ll be coming to your neck of the woods soon.”

“Yes, I was going to mention that. I still want you to think about working with me while you’re in Jamaica.” I ran a hand through my hair and let it fall. “I’ve had enough of relationships, and I sense you’re in the same place, so we’re cool where that is concerned.”

“Yep.” Slowly, Scott nodded. “You’re not looking for anything complicated and neither am I, so this is perfect.”

Our declaration relieved me and my smile widened into a grin. “Let’s agree to enjoy this interlude with no regrets.”

He nodded a second time. “Agreed. No regrets.”

As we walked, his arm slipped around my waist and he shared jokes about another conference he’d attended months ago.

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