Storm Watch(41)

“Technically, we didn’t have a first date,” he pointed out, pulling her back around to face him. “Your sister is in constant-need mode, so you can’t count on her. Who do you lean on, Lizzy?”

She told herself she didn’t understand where this was going, even as the anger welled up and nearly choked her. “You really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No?”

“No.”

“So you don’t use your fierce independence to sabotage your own happiness at every turn?” he asked. “You like counting on only yourself?” “It’s worked for me, all right?” She hugged herself tight, unhappy that she’d ever opened up to him. “And I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. We slept together for one night. It was practically an accident.”

He raised a brow. “So you accidentally came three times?”

She struggled for words as she felt the heat flood her face. “We’re only here, together, because I needed a ride.”

“Lame, Lizzy.”

Yeah, it was. And a cheap shot. “Okay, so I needed more than a Jeep, and you’ve been…helpful.”

“Helpful.”

“Indispensable,” she corrected. “But regardless of what comes next, there’s no future between us.”

In the thick silence that fell after that statement, they pulled on the rest of their rain gear and went outside, not touching, not talking.

Third Avenue was nearly unrecognizable, thanks to the raging river flowing down it. The rain pounded the raft and the water around them, making it sound like they were in a rain forest. There were no cars, no people, nothing but Mother Nature still on her tirade.

“You think Cece’s at your place?” Jason finally asked.

“I just don’t know why she hasn’t called.” And that was the rub, the crux, the basis for the knot of worry in Lizzy’s throat. If Cece had gotten out, if she’d gotten somewhere safe, she would have called by now.

Leaving Lizzy unable to help but picture her in labor somewhere, possibly alone, without a cell phone.

God. She could hardly bear the thought, and just as the burning in her throat threatened to overwhelm her, Jason reached out and took her hand.

She met his steadfast regard and felt his fingers gently squeeze hers.

She’d hurt him, on purpose, to make sure he kept his distance—that she kept her distance—and yet he was still here.

For her.

And she had to wonder, if under different circumstances, they could have made this thing work.





13




“THE BABY IS GOING to come.” Cece felt her panic bubble as she looked into Hunter’s eyes, a man she’d known only for one day. “Oh, God.”

“Okay.” He said this utterly calmly. He’d held her hand and stroked her forehead for hours, throughout the entire night and morning. By some miracle, the water hadn’t risen any more around them.

With dawn here, it wouldn’t be long before they were found, but it wasn’t going to happen in time.

“It’s getting light,” he said. “I can walk out—”

“Swim. You mean, you’d have to swim out.”

“Whatever it takes. I can get you help now—”

“No. No, you can’t. Please don’t leave me.”

He stroked her hair from her face. “I’d be right back, I promise. Cece, you might need more help than I can give you—”

“But the baby is coming.”

“I know, which is why I—”

“No, you don’t understand.” She dug her fingers into his jacket and tugged hard, yanking him down her level. “You have to get down there and catch the baby.”

He covered her hands with his, his grip firm and soothing. “Okay. Okay, baby, don’t you worry about my part, my part’s easy.”

“Easy.” She choked out a laugh. “We haven’t even slept together and you’re going to have to—”

“Look, it’s still pretty dark. I won’t be able to see much.”

“Oh, God.” She lay back and stared at the roof of the Hummer. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I finally turned my life around, that I finally met a really great guy, and now…this.”

“You don’t have to tell him,” Hunter said quietly. “You don’t have to tell him about me.”

She blinked through the haze of pain and felt another laugh ripple through her. “I meant you, Hunter. You’re the really great guy I finally met.”

“Oh.” He looked at her, then let out a slow smile that changed his usually solemn, quiet face. Transformed it. “I thought I was just one of those assholes.”