Page 60 of Take This Heart
“I did,” she says coolly, stepping aside so I can come in. “His name is Kevin and as you can see, he has excellent instincts.”
“Kevin.” I chuckle. “Is he trained to attack all men who talk to you, or is it just me?”
“I haven’t trained him yet. He just sensed your,” she waves her hand all around me, “atmosphere.”
“My atmosphere,” I snort.
“Your lying, betraying atmosphere.”
I cringe, reaching out to pet Kevin and he growls, the tiniest teeth bared.
I hold out a hand and say, “Hey, little guy. I come in peace.”
He sniffs my hand and nestles into Goldie’s arms. My eyes meet Goldie’s.
“I don’t think he likes you,” she says.
I lift an eyebrow. “He takes after you, huh?”
She shrugs.
“Goldie.” I sigh. “I’m just trying to figure out where we stand.”
“We don’t stand,” she says.
We stare at each other for a few long seconds.
“How’s Everett?”
“He’s a little better now.”
He had chemo two days ago and I haven’t seen him much since then.
“I’m glad.” I watch her pet the adorable dog with the ridiculous name and my heart swells with something I don’t want to name. “Can you please stop avoiding me? It’s making it really hard to do my job when everything we say has to go through your dad or Noah.”
“I don’t mind it.”
“Well, I do. We had a good thing going.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“I am speaking for myself!”
Kevin growls again when I raise my voice and I sigh, this time speaking softly.
“Can’t we just talk about it? You really think I’d work with Bruce to sabotage you?”
“I don’t know what to think. But what Iknowis you lied. And I don’t have room for liars in my life.”
“I believe you do know, but then you latch onto every possible reason to think the worst of me. I feel terrible that I didn’t tell you the truth from the beginning, but your distrust of me was there before this. What are you so afraid of? Who did youso wrongthat you don’t trustanyone?”
A look crosses her face and she takes a step back, swallowing hard.
“Shit. Goldie, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.” I take a step back too.
“I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. I was engaged once,” she says softly. “Wes Chandler. I thought I’d hit the jackpot. He adored me, I adored him. Everyone did. My family, my friends, his professors at school. He was the perfect guy who did everything right.” She shakes her head and her eyes are glassy. “He liked that I was creative, wasn’t threatened by my big dreams, didn’t mind that I’m a lot…” Her eyes shoot to me like she’s daring me to argue with her.
Finally, I take the bait and tease her. “Youarea lot, but in a good way.”
