She shifted on the cool leather, unable to sit still. “Yes. I wanted you to know how I felt.” I wanted to hear your voice.

“Did you call to tell me you love me?” The question was bland, almost perfunctory.

“I can’t do that, Gabriel.”

“Then we don’t have anything else to discuss.” He stood and marched to the door. “I love you, Erin. I don’t want your gratitude or your friendship. I want you.”

Erin shook her head. “Jessica may be insane, but she was right about one thing. I couldn’t love Nathan.” She met Gabriel’s hooded gray eyes, the color of San Francisco fog. She wanted him to understand. Restless, she crossed the room to stand beside him. When she cut out her heart, she would do it with her head held high. “If I was ever going to be in love with someone, it would have been you and it would have been that night.”

Gabriel nodded in agreement. “But?”

Hollow, beaten, she hung her head. “But I can’t be in love.”

“With me?” His voice was mildly interested.

“With anyone.” She waved off the next question. “Because it’s impossible. I’m impossible. I’m secretive and afraid and never sure of myself. I’m neurotic and controlling.”

“True.” Gabriel quirked an inquiring brow. “But you’re also brilliant and kind and willing to risk your life for others.”

“I’m a freak, Gabriel. An oddly wired brain with an eidetic memory for strange words. Only now I can use my carnival skills to solve murders.”

His shook his head. “Don’t try that with me. You used your empathy, your smarts, and your bravery. You used years of training and teaching. You used your powers of observation to find her. You used your powers of communication to stop her. So don’t give me any bullshit about parlor tricks. You solved this case, Erin. Not Analise. You.”

“But—”

“No. And I’ll tell you something else. You are in love with someone. Me. And it isn’t just that night, when I saved your life.”

“When you saved my life?” she sputtered. “I stopped Jessica. As you just pointed out, I stopped a serial killer.”

“Your point?”

“My point is—” She stopped, flustered. “I came here because I had to tell you that I’m not the right person for you.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I’m agreeing with you. You may not be the right person.”

“Excuse me? You might have helped me face my past, but I had an effect on you too. You need someone who won’t back down when you try to be a jackass. Who can match your curiosity and your stubborn loyalty. Someone who can appreciate your charm without being taken in by it. You’ll never meet anyone like me again, Gabriel Moss.”