Page 35 of Holding His Hostage
“Maybe another hour. Fiona’s about had it.”
“Me, too.”
He wanted to talk to her, wanted to see what would happen if he said what was in his head. His palms started sweating. “I was doing some thinking about you and me.”
“Oh?”
Just say it. Just push through the bullshit and say it.
“I enjoy your company.”God, that’s lame.“I mean, I like being around you. When we were going back and forth, bickering, I realized how much I missed it.”
“Arguing with me?”
“Yeah. Or like, not arguing. Disagreeing.”
“We were arguing.”
“It doesn’t matter. I liked it. That’s what matters.”
“Okay. So what?”
This is not going well.“So, I guess I was wondering if you liked it, too.”Cringe.Thethud-thud-thudof the pavement joints counted out the time it took her to answer. God, he was bad at this.
She sighed. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know if you liked it?”
She clucked her tongue and looked away. “It’s not that simple.”
“Of course it is. Did you like it or not? Pretty straightforward to me.”
“Don’t railroad me, Sloan.”
“Asking if you’ve enjoyed my company like I’ve enjoyed yours over the last couple of days is not railroading you. It’s laying my feelings on the line. Putting myself out there.”
“Could you lower your voice, please?”
He did. “What, you don’t want your kids to hear that I like spending time with you? I think when this is all over, we should go to dinner.”
“Stop. Please.”
That was what he got for going out on a limb. One hell of a fall to the ground. She wouldn’t even look at him. “Forget I said anything.” He changed lanes, the camper slowing down as he approached the rest area.
Sloan’s mood hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud. He had his answer. And while his gut told him Jo still had feelings for him, he had no intention of forcing the issue.
18
“Evelyn.” Joanne opened her arms and hugged Sloan’s mother. They were pulled up to the arrivals curb at the Albany, New York airport, Gus barking his head off inside the camper. “Thanks so much for coming.”
The older woman looked stylish in printed capris and a white tank, her once-blonde hair now silvery-white. She smelled like baby powder and perfume, the same scent she always had, and Jo felt happier in that instant than she had in a very long time. Evelyn laughed, leaning back to hold Jo’s arms wide. “Look at you! You’re all grown up.”
“You look great.” Jo was smiling so much her face ached. “These are my children.” She introduced Lucas and April, who waved uncertainly at the gregarious woman, but Fiona came in close and gave Evelyn a hug.
Sloan hugged her next. “Hi, Ma. Did you have a good trip?”
“Always.”
“Sorry you had to cut it short,” said Jo. “We really appreciate the help.”
