Page 39 of When Annika Met Thom

“That relationships take work. They’re not magic, although good ones can have a lot of magical moments. Both parties have to pull their weight. Both have to compromise or step up to try something different, maybe make a concession once in a while. It’s back and forth. Nobody gets their way all the time, but a great relationship is worth it.”

“Ever had one?”

He flicked a glance at her. “No. But I’ve seen them.”

“Me, too,” she said with a sigh. “My best friend from college. She and the guy she was dating in our freshman year were always breaking up, but they inevitably ran into each other and started again. Over and over again.”

“Do not talk about kismet,” Thom growled.

“She called it that. I think a lot of it was the sex. They only had eyes for each other.”

Thom nodded. He recognized that impulse.

“They had a connection of some kind, call it what you want, but the relationship didn’t work until both of them decided that they wanted to be together enough to make some sacrifices.”

“And?” Thom was expecting her to challenge his conclusions.

“Married. Triplets. Crazy in love.” She shook her head. “And if anyone mentions their on-again-off-again or their epic fights, they just laugh, hold hands and stare into each other’s eyes.” She gave Thom a look. “I think it’s impressive to stay that much in love with three little ones, all at once. She said it felt like neither of them slept more than an hour a night for a year.” Annika smiled wickedly and Thom could only stare. “So, fasten your seatbelt for this. Iagreewith you, Thom.”

He pretended to be sufficiently shocked to fall off his chair and she laughed. “You want to tell me about you and Leo?” he offered, guessing that this was really what she wanted to discuss.

“Because that’s what all women want to do? Talk about their break-up?”

“I have noticed the pattern.”

She looked across the room, frowning a little. “I thought we were good together.” She met Thom’s gaze again. “We had a connection.”

“Whatever you want to call it.” Thom treated himself to another slice.

“But it sure wasn’t sexual attraction.”

Thom almost choked on that and Annika smiled at him.

“The sex was never great. Mediocre at best. Dutiful, which is the worst. I always wanted a lot more of it than he did.” She widened her eyes. “A lot a lot. I was sure he wasn’t interested in sex.”

This time, Thom did choke.

“You’re surprised,” Annika said, watching him with narrowed eyes.

“Leo can’t get enough. If there are any contenders available, he’s at it multiple times a day, in every room, on the counter, against the wall…” A little too late, he realized that he was being undiplomatic. He looked at his pizza, then put the rest of the piece down on his plate. “Sorry.”

“I guess I wasn’t his type, after all.”

“I don’t think you should take that to heart. I mean, he wasn’t that fussy.”

Her smile turned sad. “Especially when it came to me.” She caught her breath and averted her gaze, tears welling again.

“Please,” Thom said, raising his hands. “Please do not turn on Niagara Falls.”

She looked at him through her tears. “Why does it bother you so much when I cry? What are you afraid of?”

“That I’ll do something we’ll both regret.” It was the truth, even though he hadn’t meant to say it aloud. “See? I said that, and I should have just shut up.”

But his words obviously distracted her. She brightened with interest. “What else would you do that we might regret?” she asked, her voice a silky and seductive purr.

Thom pointed at her. “Do not go there. Do not choose me as the Consolation Man.” He stood up in a hurry, knowing she wasn’t convinced. “I amnotgoing to be a stand-in for Leo. Ever.”

She crossed her legs and he looked, because he was human. She had great legs. Of course. And freckles on her knees. Thom swallowed.

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