Page 85 of Pinch of Love

Maya

“For your information, an eighty-year-old great-grandma and a woman with a broken foot were about to head out the door in the dead of night to try to find you. Why? You may ask. Because you didn’t answer my texts.” My hands flew to my hips. “Do you know how worried I’ve been about you?”

Cash’s eyes softened, and I could tell he was trying to hide a smile, which only infuriated me more.

“I don’t like being lied to,” I added, surprised at all the feelings boiling over.

He was only supposed to be a summer distraction.

“I didn’t lie. Exactly.”

My scowl deepened. “Really? What would you call it?”

“Leaving out some pertinent information.”

“You went to find Rob, didn’t you? That’s why you left me here alone, because you knew where he was and that I’d be safe.” I eyed him, unable to push down the feelings bubbling through me. I hadn’t had someone in my life who cared enough to do something like this. But he should have told me.

Cash bit his bottom lip and took a deep breath.

I stared at him. “Well?”

“I didn’t want to concern you.”

“Concern me?” I gritted my teeth and hobbled over to my glass of lemonade. “One minute, we’re making out, and the next, you get a call and fly out of here like Batman.”

“Batman?” He frowned. “I thought I was more like Thor or—”

I stomped my good foot. “It’s not funny, Cash. You could have gotten hurt.”

“Unlikely.” Cash’s confidence poured off him, and I’d be lying if I didn’t confess to finding it extremely attractive.

Seeing the certainty swirl in his gaze made all sorts of questions flutter to the surface. I wanted to be so angry with him for omitting facts, but the way he looked at me made me question whether it even mattered.

“How about this?” he asked, taking a step toward me. “You call me Thor instead of Batman, and I promise I’ll never omit anything to you ever again.”

“I’m not sure I care to agree to that.” I stared at Chewie and snuggled up to my chipmunk.

Cash’s finger slid under my chin and gently lifted my face. When our eyes connected, a spark of something I could no longer deny lit through me. Maybe I didn’t want him to be a distraction.

“Would you mind if we picked up where we left off?” Cash’s voice deepened to a growl. “Hmm?”

I glanced at Chewie and chuckled. “Do you have a blanket to throw over her or anything?”

He smiled as his gaze stayed on mine, and he shook his head.

But I couldn’t shake the thought of where Cash went tonight. He was gone for a long time. I knew him enough to know he wouldn’t do anything foolish. He had his dad with him. But why did he have his dad with him?

I drew a breath and took a step back. Disappointment dashed across Cash’s face.

“Before I get caught up in my emotions...”

Cash smirked and raised a brow.

“Would you mind telling me what happened tonight?”

“Well—”

“And I mean from the moment you got the message on your phone.”

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