Unfortunately that was not an option. I had to stay grounded and not let my stupidity take over again. My heart was too weak right now. I didn’t trust it or my emotions. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s the best idea. We need to try this friendship thing again in a week or so. I have a lot to work out in my life right now.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. Like magic it fell into a perfect tousled style. I tore my gaze from his hair and stared over his right shoulder at the buildings behind us. They were much less distracting and not at all mouthwatering.

“I’m sorry about last night, Catalina. I was weak and I messed things up. I handled it all wrong. Please forgive me. Don’t let that ruin what we just started building.”

I assumed he meant we had been building a friendship. The way he’d been there yesterday morning when I was falling apart over the news of Mattia’s death was definitly some firm blocks he’d laid. One night of a short, over heated make out session wasn’t something to hold against him. I had already accepted it was my fault.

“It didn’t ruin anything. I’m just asking for a little time. I don’t blame you for last night. I was the one who started it. You did the right thing. I should be thanking you for stopping it but I’m a little too embarassed by my actions. So,” I smiled then. “Just some time is all I need. Our beginning friendship is safe.”

He looked like he was going to say more. His eyes said he wanted to argue or reassure me but he did neither. After a moment, he simply nodded. “Okay,” he said.

His response shouldn’t bother me, but it caused yet another pang in my chest. Time would help with this. I was sure of it. I smiled brightly even if I didn’t feel it. He smiled then, too and his dimple appeared. I might get over his hair, those eyes, his body soon enough, but it was going to much harder to get over that dimple.

NINETEEN: THE HERO

Nineteen

The Hero

My phone rang after I pulled out of the parking lot and back onto the main road. I picked it up and saw Duely’s name on the screen. I pressed accept and put it to my ear.

“Hey,” I said in greeting.

“Did Rathe find you?” he asked sleepily. He hadn’t been awake long from the sound of his raspy tone.

“Yep. He showed up while I was in the middle of a chat with my stalker,” I replied dryly.

“Shut the fuck up! What did you do?” He was awake now.