“Yes, we should. I’ve decided I’m going to try and take cash out on my credit card and pay you.”
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t need your money.”
“Yes, well, I’d rather not owe you any more kisses.” She could feel her cheeks burning hot. “Or whatever other tawdry payment you’re expecting.”
“I expected nothing. The kiss was…” he hesitated, “…hell, doll, I don’t know where that idea came from. Only that it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“How is kissing me a good idea? We have an awful history, and you have a girlfriend. Though I guess it’s never stopped you before.”
“Ouch. Another low blow.”
“Not that low.”
He grunted. “Gina’s not my girlfriend. It was more of a hooking-up thing. And that’s over.”
“Is it?” Right. Hook up or not, that woman on his arm this afternoon had been ten times sexier than she was.
There was resolve in his eyes as he answered. “Yes. I plan to call her later, actually.”
And she believed him. It probably made her stupid as hell, but she believed him. Had she learned nothing?
Bitter with the realization, she took another sip of wine.
“And our history wasn’t all horrible.”
Her heart clenched. Why didn’t he just drop it? Why was he so determined to try and deepen a scar that would never disappear?
“It ended horrible. It kind of taints the rest, don’t you think?”
“I don’t really know. I have a hard time forgetting the rest sometimes.” A bitter smile twisted his mouth. “Much harder than you it seems.”
She watched him take another sip of wine. Saw the bead of red gather on his lip and had to fight the temptation to lean forward and kiss it away.
If someone would’ve told her ten years ago that Ian would be standing here, saying these kinds of things and seeming almost vulnerable, she would’ve laughed.
Ian was a born and bred bad boy. His agenda in life seemed to be to have fun and screw the consequences. Early on, maybe that first time they’d met in the car, he might’ve even said that to her.
He hadn’t changed, though. And she couldn’t afford to get involved with him again. It was a risk to so much more than her heart.
Hardening her resolve, and any romantic side of her that was screaming, “Maybe…” she stepped away from him and moved into the living room.
The upholstered couch had to be two decades old at least, and it showed the wear and love from the years. She sank into it, breathing in the familiar scent of Gran’s house that rose with the dust.
“I need to get some work done tonight. So why don’t you finish up with what you came to tell me, and we’ll call it a night?”
What he came to tell her? Ian bit back a sharp laugh of disbelief. Hell, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d come to tell her. Maybe, no definitely, warn her to stay away from MacGregor if she saw him anywhere.
But first, he had to get her off the idea of paying him for repairing the car. She’d already admitted she was broke, and he truly had no need for her money. His reputation was fantastic and his clientele was expanding by the week. Sure, he did simple car repairs on the island, but word had spread about the work he did on classic car restoration. He was the garage people on—and off—the island came to.
“Tell you what,” Ian began, “instead of kisses, instead of money, why don’t we—”
The ringing of her cell phone had him trailing off. Maybe it was a good thing because he wasn’t quite sure what’d he’d been about to offer.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?” he asked, when Sarah made no move to answer her cell. “What if it’s your daughter?”
“It is,” she admitted, and seemed reluctant to answer. “Give me a moment.”
He watched her answer the phone. Her tone and expression softened as he listened to the tender conversation with her daughter.
As if she couldn’t take his gaze on her anymore, she stood and paced in front of the window as she chatted.
Ian took her place on the couch, sipping his wine as he stared out the large window behind her. The view was rather spectacular. You could see part of the historic town of Coupeville, and then beyond it the small inlet of saltwater named Penn Cove—famous for the muscles grown there.
Even though it was heading toward six in the evening, there were still sailboats and kayakers out. No doubt enjoying the longer days of summer and awaiting the upcoming sunset.
“Sorry about that.” Sarah hit a button on her cell phone and came to sit down again. “She’s on the east coast and is just getting ready for bed. She wanted to call and say goodnight. We’ve never been apart this long, and I know it isn’t easy for her. Or me. At bedtime I usually tuck her in and have her read out loud to me from a chapter book.”