Page 51 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

“I don’t care if you’re in a bad mood.” I touched his sleeve. “I just want to help.”

Sean rubbed his temples. “I don’t know, Caleb.”

“What don’t you know?”

“It was a good dream,” he said sadly. “But a dream…”

“What the hell does that mean?” My brain couldn’t compute it all fast enough, but a small pang of alarm started somewhere in my chest. “You don’t want me to just go for now. Is that it? What the hell, Sean? Do you not want me to see Erin at all or something?”

“Maybe not yet?”

“Are you asking me or telling?”

“Telling,” he said with real regret.

“Because she still might get sick? I’m not afraid of the flu.”

Sean didn’t reply.

Bigger alarm bells went off in my head. “We can ease her into things. She likes me?—”

“As her daddy’s friend. As a firefighter on my team, sure. But as…something else?” He shook his head. “She’s not ready.”

“She’s not oryou’renot?” My head was spinning. I gripped the counter for balance.

“That’s unfair.” He exhaled, a hard line between his brows. “I’m doing my best here.”

I blew out a breath, trying to be reasonable. “All right, I’m sorry. I can step back a bit. But don’t…you look so closed off. Sean, it’s me. Just…give it a chance—” I moved from the wall toward Sean, holding out a hand.

“Caleb,” Sean cut me off. “I need some time. I’m not ready to take chances with my daughter.”

“I see.” The pain was unbearable. My entire body went numb. I wanted to reassure Sean, to say the right thing, but my mind was blank. Didn’t he get that I was all in—if he’d let me in?

“You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”

“Caleb…” His face was equally etched in pain. “I don’t want—I just?—”

“It’s fine. I’ll go.”

He looked miserable, but what was left to discuss? I gathered my things, and at Sean’s door, we exchanged some awful, awkward half hug. Like we were relatives at some long-lost reunion and not guys who, just hours ago, had banged each other so hard I saw stars.

I turned back. “Can you please talk to me? We can sit down and figure it out.”

Sean’s jawline tightened. He didn’t speak.

“So, this is the end?” I asked.

“A clean break might be best,” Sean whispered.

Giving Sean one final look, I spun around on my heels and left him with the Chinese food. Along with my heart.

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

SMACK

“What is wrong with you?” Phin demanded.

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