Page 85 of Escape to the Sun

He turned and stared at the woman. “What?”

“She obviously doesn’t want to talk to you right now. She’s mad.”

“No shit.”

“She won’t hear anything you have to say right now. You should wait.”

“Wait? Why the hell would I wait?”

He was done listening to her. He grabbed his things from the table and was ready to chase after her, when Sara said, “She had a reason to turn and run, Ash. What was it?”

“What are you talking about?”

Sara stood with her arms crossed over her chest, looking bitchier than Ash ever remembered her looking. Was it possible she’d always been a bitch, and he’d just never seen it?

“Women don’t just run off like that without a reason. If you’re sort of seeing her.” She used her fingers for air quotes. “Don’t you think she would have stuck around to hear what you had to say? Don’t you think she would have believed you when you told her it wasn’t what it looked like? Nice line, by the way. Very original.”

Yes. Maybe she’d always been a bitch and Ash just hadn’t seen it before. But she did have a point. Why would Heather just take off without listening to his explanation?

He knew exactly why.

Because he’d told her that he’d vowed never to have another relationship. And now he was demonstrating that.

“Dammit.”

“No shit.”

“I love her.” The words surprised him because he hadn’t even allowed himself to think the words yet. He knew he cared about her. A lot. He knew he wanted to try a relationship with her. He knew she was the first woman since Carlie to make him feel anything. He knew all of that. And now, he knew he loved her. A smile crossed his face despite the situation. Saying it out loud felt good. So good.

“Why do I get the feeling you’ve never told her that before?”

He’d forgotten she was still there. He stared at her, unable to think of anything worth saying.

Her sigh was long and loud. “Seriously. Why are you still here? Go tell her.”

He shook his head and bit back the urge to scream before he took one more look at her and left her behind to find Heather.

* * *

She couldn’t think clearly.

Ash.

A woman.

In a bedroom.

Together.

The image kept flashing through her head as if it was on neon lights and she couldn’t turn it off. Is that why he’d gone off without telling her? To meet up with a woman? And ruin everything they had together.

No.They didn’t have anything together. He told her. He’d warned her. He wouldn’t let himself be in love again. But that didn’t mean he could stop her from falling in love. And she had. Oh, she had and now…

“Heather?”

She heard her name as she pushed out the front door of the Bitter End and stood on the porch. But she didn’t turn around. She stood on the steps and looked down the street. What was she supposed to do? Where was she supposed to go?

She couldn’t think straight and she needed to pull it together. Fast.

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