Page 27 of Loving Hard on the Highway

“God, I missed you.” Sean kissed me so tenderly, I believed it.

“How is your grandfather?” I asked.

“He’s better,” Sean sighed. “It’s just hard to see him so fragile. But we talked about so many things. I told him all about you.”

“You did?” I was surprised.

“I did.” Sean gave me a soft smile. “And I think he gave me some really good advice. So, I was thinking we should probably talk.”

“Good.” I took a deep breath. “Because I need to talk about some things with you, too.”

“You can talk to me about anything. Tell me whatever is on your mind.”

“Well.” I took a deep breath. “I want to know what you really think of me.”

I could tell Sean was taken aback. “Gabbie, I think you are amazing and beautiful.”

“Do you trust me?”

His expression went from confused tooh shitin 2.1 seconds. “Gabbie. I do trust you now, but when we first started on this journey, we didn’t know each other.”

“But we got to know each other, or I thought we did. It just feels like there’s a whole side of you I know nothing about. And you didn’t even give me a hint. Do you think I’m a gold digger?”

“No,” he insisted. “If this trip proved anything, it’s that you’re not.”

“The crazy thing is that I get that, but at some point, you should have clued me in. I felt like such an idiot having my friends tell me all this stuff about Iverleigh Farms, Holsten Industries, and you.”

“I’m sorry.” Sean looked me in the eye with such sincerity. “I never meant to make you feel that way. You are not an idiot at all.”

“I left California with a man I thought I knew who said he loved me, and as soon as we got to Florida, he flipped the switch and became someone I didn’t know. And now I leave Florida with a man and think I have fallen in love… But I don’t know you.”

“You do know me,” he said. “You know the real me without the money, flashy bike, or jet…”

“Jet!” I gasped. Of course, he had a jet. “And here I am, walking around with cash, counting every dollar.” I turned my back on him. “What are my sisters and my friends going to think of me?”

“Gabbie, please don’t say that.” He came around to face me, hands caressing my arms as he leaned to look me in the eye. “Ifthey love you, they’ll understand you. And they can blame me. It’s my fault for keeping this from you. You did nothing wrong. I love you.”

“You love me because you know me,” I snapped.

He stepped back. “You love me, Gabbie. You told me so. That doesn’t just vanish.”

“I love the guy I traveled across the country with, who kindly does most of the driving, and sings off key, and did something kind for a stranger that was pissed off with him. I only know that guy.” I threw my hands up. “I don’t know Sean, the billionaire company owner with jets who keeps secrets. And I think I need some time to figure out if I want to know that guy after he lied to me.”

I picked up Ollie and went to the door.

“I don’t want to end this, Gabbie. I really do love you.”

“I just need some time, Sean. And I have to stay here, so…”

“You want me to go?”

I nodded. “I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

I put Ollie on his leash and walked him around the property. When I returned to the house, I saw another car approaching the driveway. I ignored it at first and continued walking with Ollie.

“Hey, Gabbie baby. There you are.”

Pure dread rushed through my body, and I froze. Fucking Rick.

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