“Maybe,” he admitted. “So...are you going to tell me why you have such an aversion to me? We don’t know enough about each other for you to lose your temper like this and then have to apologize. It seems to be a lot of misunderstandings and I’m trying to figure out why. I’m a pretty smart dude yet I’m kind of dumbfounded.”
“Because I told you I wasn’t interested in a date?”
“You didn’t tell me you weren’t interested,” he pointed out. “You said, you were good, and then no, thank you to the offer of showing you around the hospital and then around town. So what if I asked you on a date? Not because my mother wanted me to show you around, but because I’m attracted to you and I’m pretty sure it’s mutual.”
“Attraction isn’t enough to go on a date with someone.”
She didn’t say no. He’d take that as a win. “Attraction is normally the first sign that a man and woman get to ask someone out.”
“Fine. You’re right there.”
“Two things to mark down on the calendar,” he said. “I get the feeling you don’t say someone else is right often.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Insulting me isn’t helping.”
“I wasn’t insulting but stating what I believe is a truth. You seem pretty straightforward so I’m doing the same.”
He figured she’d appreciate that. “Fine,” she said, dropping her shoulders. “I’m attracted to you, but I’m not in a place to get involved with anyone.”
That was something at least. An answer to the questions in his head. “Bad breakup?” he asked. Did his mother say something to him about that? He wasn’t sure. He kind of tuned her out when she was playing with him like she was and wished he hadn’t.
“Yes,” she admitted. “It’s just not a good time.”
“Then I guess I need to wait around to find the right time,” he said. “Or soften you up.”
She held his stare as if she couldn’t believe he’d said that. “Why? I don’t get it. We don’t even know each other enough for you to even want to do that. Attraction isn’t enough to hold out and wait.”
“Nope, it’s not.”
“So it’s a challenge?” she asked. “I’m not into playing games and I get the feeling that is all you do.”
“I like games as well as the next person. I like games like sports and biking, hiking, tennis, basketball. I like to be active. I can’t sit still I’m told. Do you mean those types of games you don’t like to play?”
“Actually those things I do like. I mean I’m not into playing the dating games. I’m too old for that.”
“Younger than me,” he argued.
“You don’t know when to give up, do you?”
“Because you haven’t told me you aren’t interested,” he said, which caused her to cross her arms and start tapping her toe. It might have been stupid on his part to say that and she could easily come back and say she wasn’t. He’d have to drop it then.
He wouldn’t push anyone.
She opened her mouth, no words coming out, then closed it again. “Fine,” was all she finally said.
“Which means I need to bide my time. I can do that. Nice talking to you,” he said walking to his door to open it and walk out with her.
He was smart enough to take this victory while he could.
She walked forward, out the door and down the hall ahead of him. It was all he could do not to laugh out loud.
8
Always Had Me
Ten days later Wyatt was looking at himself in the mirror of the hotel where he was trying to adjust his tie. He hated wearing ties, but he couldn’t very well not have it on for Sam’s wedding, especially since he was going to be standing at the altar.
There was a knock at the door, so he moved to open it and saw his twin, Jade, standing there in her bridesmaid gown.
“Will you look at the two of us,” she said. “Need help with that?”
“Sure,” he said. “You know how much I hate these things.”
“It’s just for today,” she said back, fixing it just right and then stepping back. “It’s not going to be awkward dancing with me, do you think?”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I’m going to pull you close. Bryce is the best man, Payton the maid of honor. Ryder is with someone that works with Dani. That leaves the two of us. You’re the one that has gotten so close with all the new women coming into the fold.”
“I had to,” she argued. “I’m so outnumbered. Now I know how Ella felt when all her brothers got engaged.”
Ella was their cousin that was just a few months younger than them. She had four brothers, all minutes older than her. Quintuplets. They were always referred to as The Five.
“I suppose I can understand that,” he said. “But you’ve never been alone. You’ve always had me.”
“Oh yeah, lucky me.”
“Come on, Jade,” he said, tugging on her perfectly styled hair where she jumped back and slapped his hand. “You would be lost without me. You know it. We are two peas in a pod. Peanut butter and jelly. Eggs and bacon.”
“Why is it always food with you?”
“Because I’m not going to be referred to as Michael Kors and Prada. You did that once and I never heard the end of it. Noah called me Prada for a month when you did it.”
His sister could be warped when she wanted to be and pay him back worse. She just didn’t do it often.
“It was kind of funny.” She walked over and sat on the bed. “So what is going on with you? You were off your normal game at the rehearsal dinner last night.”
“I’m just being respectful to the soon-to-be newlyweds.”
She snorted. “You, being respectful to a family member? I fully expected some gag or joke, but there was nothing.”
“Maybe I’m maturing,” he said.
Really, it had more to do
