He reached out and grabbed her hand, staring intensely into her eyes. “I’m ready. I want to settle down and start our own family.”
Haven could feel herself starting to break down at the thought of Danielle. It seemed as if her voice was closing up on her as she tried to speak through her emotions. “Don’t say things you don’t mean or things you think I want to hear.”
“It’s the truth. I want us back. Please, Haven. Give us another shot.”
She dropped his gaze, and her voice lowered so much it was almost a whisper. “I can’t . . . not now.” Haven was fighting to hold back her tears. “I need some time. You really hurt me, Dylan.”
He could see she was close to letting him back in, or at the very least, not freezing him out. He just needed to push a little harder. “What time do you get off? Let’s go somewhere and talk.”
Haven chewed her bottom lip. She wasn’t in the right emotional headspace to do that. “I can’t. Not tonight.” As much as Haven claimed to hate Dylan, she missed him, and there was no telling what might happen if she went out with him.
He pressed. “Are you going out with someone else?”
Her head snapped up. “No! I just . . . I’m committed to doing something else.”
He couldn’t give her too much time to think, or he might not get another chance. “Cancel it. I could drop by the apartment for a few minutes after. I promise, I just want to talk.” If Dylan had his way, he’d be there to make breakfast the next morning.
“That's a bad idea. God, Dylan! There you go, already trying to push me into doing something I’ve told you I don’t want to do.”
He put his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. That wasn’t my intention. Tonight’s a no go.” Unexpectedly, Dylan pulled her hand into his. “How about you let me take you to dinner on Friday or Saturday?” He didn’t want to give her any time at all, but if he had to, no more than a couple of days to think about it. However, the more he pushed, the more her defenses were going up, and Dylan wanted to shut that down.
Making physical contact with him was confusing. Haven wanted to smack him and hug him at the same time. Instead, she licked her dry lips. “I–let me think about it.”
Disappointed he didn’t get an immediate yes, Dylan exhaled. “Okay. At least that’s not a no. I’ll take that.” He didn’t remember it being this hard to convince Haven to do anything.
She slipped her hand out of a warm and much larger one. “I’ve got to go. My shift is over.”
“If you’re off, let me at least walk you to your car. It’s dark outside.”
“The parking lot is well lit, and the Rio has a parking attendant.”
He whispered as if in pain, “Please, Haven. Just let me walk you to your car.”
She hesitated afraid if she gave an inch, Dylan would take everything.
His amber eyes were almost her undoing as he pleaded with her. “Please.”
Against her better judgment, Haven gave in. “I’ve got to get my things. Give me five minutes and meet me at the side entrance.”
Dylan watched Haven walk away. His best guess was that he’d have her back in his bed by Saturday.
*****
It didn’t take her long to gather her stuff. Dylan was exactly where she’d told him to be, ready and waiting. Haven’s body language was tight. She couldn’t help but wonder, girl . . . what the hell? Why are you letting that man within fifteen feet of you?
They exited the restaurant and walked silently towards her car. She pressed the button on the key fob to unlock and start it up.
Dylan frowned then whistled. “Wow. Niiiiiiiiice car. That’s a come up from what you had.”
“It’s not mine. Ellis is letting me use it until I can buy another one.”
“Ellis?”
“Yeah, Ms. McKenna’s grandson.”
“He’s letting you drive this car just because?”
“Yeah.”
He was skeptical. “Men usually want something in return especially when they gift you something this expensive.” He rubbed his chin as his eyes bore into hers. “Are you sure I don’t have competition?”
“Dylan, who I date is none of your business, but, if you must know, the car is not a gift; it’s a loan. Ellis doesn’t expect anything from me. He’s just being helpful.” More likely, his grandmother coerced him into doing it.
Haven was getting defensive again. Dylan didn’t want that and attempted to lower the rising temperature. Surprised, he made a mental note that he was going to have to up his game just in case that Ellis dude was trying to steal his girl. “Understood.” He flashed her that panty-melting smile again. “So, about dinner, Friday or Saturday?”
Tired of the back and forth, Haven tried to end the conversation. “Dylan, I’ll call you tomorrow to let you know if I can make it at all.” He was pulling out all the stops and gave her that look. It was hard to say no when he stared at her that way. Haven needed to get the hell out of dodge—fast.
“Okay, fair enough.” He stood to his full height then slowly bent low to place a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”
Surprised, Haven pulled away. She wasn’t expecting that. Nervously, she nodded then quickly got inside her car and drove away leaving him standing in the parking lot alone. She watched him get smaller and smaller in
