That was the question. Had she wanted him to cross the platonic line they’d agreed to? Did she want everything to change?
I can’t lose him, too.
Without Walker, she’d be alone. Really, well and truly, no emergency contact on medical forms, alone. Was she ready to risk that?
Being by myself nearly destroyed me last time.
But she’d been a child, barely a few days over eighteen, when she’d walked away from the house she’d spent her childhood in.
House. Not a home. Not for years.
Her mom had ended up with the family homestead in the divorce, but it had come with a price. Her. The mistake neither parent had wanted to claim.
Just like Hunter.
She shook her head to clear the dark thought. Walker wanted him. Or at least, wouldn’t turn him away. That was more than she’d had.
“Hey,” Diane said, breaking into her bleak thoughts. “I’m sorry. I won’t tease you anymore.”
She blinked, banishing whatever expression had put the concern she read in Diane’s eyes.
“Sorry. Just thinking too much.”
“That’s a good trait for a reporter,” she said. “But it can make things tricky in a relationship this complicated.”
“I’m not sure this can get any worse.”
“Maybe not worse, but it can become different. If you wanted it to.”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “If Walker was a stranger on the street, of course I’d fantasize about things I have no business thinking about. He’s a drop-dead gorgeous billionaire for God’s sake. I’d have to be dead not to find him attractive.”
“I sense there’s a but coming.”
“But things are changing so fast right now. Do I really want to throw my attraction into the mix? There’s a child involved, for God’s sake. I need to think with my head and not other parts of my anatomy.”
Diane let out a long sigh. “You’ve got a point.”
I was half hoping you’d talk me out of being noble.
But once again, it was her cross to bear. She always put others first. Even to her own detriment. And missing out on a chance to see what she might have had with Walker was definitely a decision that would haunt her. But if she made a move and things became awkward between them, she’d have to leave and then Walker would be all alone with Hunter. No, it was better to think of the baby. Creating a safe, stable environment for him was the most important factor at play here.
“Well, if you’re determined to be a mature adult and not hop into bed with your ridiculously attractive roommate, then might I ask if you’re still on for Thursday?”
“What’s Thursday?” she asked before it hit her. “Hell, I forgot about Tall Todd.”
“You really need to stop calling him that.”
“It completely slipped my mind.”
“What? That he existed or that you agreed to go out with him this week?”
She shook her head sheepishly. “Am I a terrible person if I say both?”
“Sounds like the start of a promising relationship. I can hear the wedding bells now.”
“You’re right. I should cancel. We made these plans two weeks ago before his trip down South. Then everything happened with the baby and well…”
“You forgot about the lovely giant you begged me to set you up with. You know women are vying for him?”
“Really? He always seemed a little awkward to me.”
“Okay, maybe vying was too strong a word.”
“In fact, wasn’t it you asking me to do you a favor and go out with your friend?”
“That’s one version of the story.”
“It’s the truth.”
“We’re reporters. You know the truth can be spun in many ways.”
“Not this different.”
“All right, the point is, are you seeing him or not?”
Clara chewed on her lower lip. “I’m not sure. With everything going on it’s probably not a good time.”
“Counterpoint, it will give Walker a chance to look after his kid solo for an evening. Isn’t that the goal? To make him confident in his magical fatherhood abilities?”
“It would be a good test,” Clara admitted.
“You know what else it would do.”
She arched a brow. “I have a feeling you’re about to tell me.”
“It’d show Walker your little moment had no effect on you. Or drive him mad with jealousy. Either way, win-win for you.”
“Walker wouldn’t be jealous of me dating. This might be news to you, but I haven’t been celibate and doodling his name in my journal for the past ten years. I have a life that doesn’t include him.”
“Honey, neither of you have that. The only two people who don’t think you should be together are you guys.”