Page 13 of Believing in You

“I know,” she said quietly.

He glanced at her. “What do you mean you know? How do you know?”

“Because Jamie thinks very highly of you, and he wouldn’t have tried to push us together if he thought you’d be a danger to me. Also, though I don’t trust my intuitions as much as I used to, I honestly don’t believe you’re capable of murder. Remember, I’ve worked with you for a couple of months. You don’t give off killer vibes.”

Harrison nodded and released a slow breath as his heart rate slowly settled down. If only his mother and ex-fiancée had given him that same benefit of doubt when he’d been accused.

He wanted more than anything to get to know Nyla better, but it was a bad idea no matter how he looked at it.

Yeah, he needed to stay clear of the beautiful Nyla.

A few minutes later, he pulled into the circular drive of her apartment complex and stopped just past the front entrance.

Part of him wanted to tell her everything. The other part of him wanted to keep his mouth shut. He had vowed to nevermention those days ever again. He almost didn’t survive the experience, and as the memories filled his mind, the anxiety was there too.

Nope, this wasn’t something he could discuss.

Harrison startled when Nyla laid a hand on his forearm and squeezed.

“I’m sorry if I stirred up bad memories. Are you going to be okay to drive home? Do you want to come in?”

This woman…

This sweet, gorgeous, kind woman. If only he could’ve met her years ago. Maybe his life would’ve taken a different route. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t have, but deep down, he knew if he allowed Nyla into his life, his world would change for the better.

I’m not ready,the words blared through his mind.

Instead of telling her that, he said, “Thank you for understanding.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m fine to drive, and I’m sorry about…everything.”

She nodded and gave him a smile as she removed her hand from his arm.

Harrison immediately felt the loss, and he hated the chill that flowed through his veins. He knew this was goodbye, at least on his end. Tonight let him know he wasn’t ready to put himself out there again.

“No apology necessary,” Nyla said as she unfastened her seatbelt. “Just know if you ever want to talk, I’m a good listener. As a matter of fact, give me your phone.”

Instead of overthinking the request, Harrison pulled the device from his pants pocket and unlocked it. Then he handed it to her and watched as she added her telephone number.

“Now you have no excuse if you want to give me a call outside of work,” she said, returning his cell phone. “Take care, Harrison. See you in the morning.”

She started to open the door, but he stopped her. “Hold on, let me get that for you.”

He climbed out, shivering as the brisk air whipped around him as he hurried around to the passenger side. When he opened the door, he reached for Nyla’s gloved hand and helped her out.

“Thanks again for the ride.”

“My pleasure,” he said, and was caught off guard when she placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Drive safely.”

Harrison waited until she was inside before he climbed back into his SUV. On his way home, thoughts of Nyla and how he’d handled everything tonight played on loop inside his head.

If ever he got himself emotionally together, and was ready for a relationship, he’d choose her in a heartbeat.

Too bad he may never be ready.

Damn him for avoiding her! Nyla never thought of Harrison as a wimp, but this morning she knew better. All night she’d been worried about him, hoping he was okay.

She had even considered calling Jamie to get him to check on Harrison, but she hadn’t. Instead, she figured she’d see him this morning at work, except when she arrived at Telecom Solutions, Harrison was a no show. He was working from home.

That rat! He knew I’d have questions.

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