Page 92 of Halstead House

“I should say football, being a Texan and all, but in the spirit of honesty I’m going to say basketball.”

“I’d say neither. I’m not sporty.”

He jokingly looked me up and down and shrugged. “Agreed.”

I swatted at his arm with the hand of cards I was about to play. “You’re going down for that comment.”

“Nice car or nice house?”

“Both.”

“Against the rules.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not. This is getting to know me. I want it all. I’m sorry if you can’t handle that.”

“I can handle it. Don’t worry about me.” He laid down a few cards and looked back up. “Beach or mountains?”

“I’ve always lived near water,” I said while I drew a few cards, “so there’s something about water that will always call to me. But I’ll says mountains simply because it would be so different.”

“Different is good. Providence is definitely different than Lavender,” he replied.

“I can’t believe how quickly it went.”

Lucas glanced at his cards and played before looking back to me. “It really has gone fast.”

“Too bad we wasted all that time circling each other when I first got here.” I pulled a humorous face and he smirked back.

“We didn’t waste time. We just needed to get to know each other.”

“A little island therapy helped things along.” The thought of Ana and her efforts caused a happy feeling to flutter, and I smiled to myself.

“Are you nervous about what’s waiting for you back there?” He tried to sound casual, but I could hear the weight in the words.

“I suppose,” I replied cautiously.

“I can’t ask you to stay.” His voice was low and quiet, his eyes fixed on his cards, and ice shot down to my toes. Here it was, my worst fears realized. He’d said out loud that he didn’t want me to stay.

“Can’t or won’t?” I mumbled.

Lucas looked up and our gazes caught. “Both, I guess.”

I tried to keep my face calm and my tone reasonable. “I see.”

He set his cards down and leaned back in his chair. “You have a job that you love in Providence. Your mother is there, which I’ll admit isn’t a big draw right now, but she’s your only family,” he continued. “My work and my family are here.”

“I understand that.” I set my cards on the table too and sat up straighter, trying like mad to not choke on the giant wad of hurt forming in my throat.

“Your work is in Providence.”

“Yes, you mentioned that already.”

“So...” He spread his hands out and looked at me across the table.

I tried to smile, but my lips only wobbled. “The good news is that now we know where things stand, and we can move forward with no expectations or misunderstandings.” I stood abruptly, my chair clattering to the floor behind me. “I think I’ll head to bed.”

“Grace, there’s no need to be upset.” Lucas stood too, his expression hardening.

My temper flared at the accusation. “What emotion would better fit this situation? You just said you wouldn’t ask me to stay and reminded me that your work is here. How am I supposed to feel?” I folded my arms across my chest, the edge of panic making it nearly impossible to hold still, hoping with all I had that I could hold it together until I got back to my room.

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