Page 160 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“No, but you can’t tell me you never slept with her. You were eighteen when you met. You’ve slept in the same bed. Isn’t that what you do? Hook up?”

The fire petered out. His shoulders slumped. “Okay.”

Now, she grew scared. “Okay, what?”

“We’re nothing but two people who fucked during a blizzard.”

“And made a child together.” There, that was what she needed to focus on. That was the part that mattered. “We can’t rush into anything—and you can’t deny that’s what we’re doing.”It’s been four days.“We told Stevie you’re her dad. We thought you were going to move here and open an office, but George just said that’s not going to happen. Which means you’re going back to your busy life.”

“Sure. You’re right. You’re absolutely right. We’re moving too fast.” He turned away from her, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I was ready to give up my career—while I wait for you to catch up.” He gave a bitter laugh. “But don’t worry. This one’s on me. I saw the signs, and I ignored them.” He started backing away. “My bad.”

“What signs?”

He shrugged like it didn’t matter and started for the barn.

Frantic, she ran in front of him. “What signs?”

“You were never as into this as I was. It’s okay. I’ll spend time with Stevie before the brunch tomorrow, and then I’ll head out.”

“I didn’t say we had to break up. I’mnotbreaking up. All I’m asking for is time.”

“Sure. You got it. You’ve got all the time in the world.” He walked away.

And got swallowed up in the brightly lit barn with the happy, shiny guests.

Leaving Lorelei frozen with fear.

Too numb to feel anything, she followed him inside to make her toast.

But in the back of her mind, a refrain played on repeat.

What just happened?

What have I done?

Have I just lost the only man I’ve ever really and truly loved?

ChapterThirty-One

Booker slept like the dead.

Amazing what a sleeping pill does for you.

He could notbelievehe’d almost given up his career for a one-sided relationship. Looking back, he’d seen the signs from the start. She’d never gushed about him the way he did her. She didn’t say, “You’re the one.” She hadn’t even said, “I’m crazy about you,” or anything like that.

He’d taken a pill last night because he couldn’t stop analyzing every conversation they’d ever had, trying to remember how she’d responded to him. And he couldn’t think of a single instance where she’d indicated she was in it for the long hall.

Was she into him? Absolutely.

Was she responsive to his touch? Hell, yeah.

Butshehadn’t made any changes in her life. Not at all. He was the one downgrading his career.

Jesus, he’d almost given up the Canadian kid. For what? How long after he’d moved out here would it have taken to become obvious she was just phoning it in?

Even worse than losing the phenom as a client was ignoring the way Marcus had maligned his reputation. If he didn’t put a stop to that, it would ruin his career.

Well, no more of that bullshit. Because today, he was flying to Ontario to let the Marchaud family know the truth about why he’d left Elite. With Ginty’s permission, he’d explain his reasons for not pushing the Boston contract on his client.

---