Was she correct to tell him he wasn’t protecting Harrison as much as he was protecting himself? He’d never considered the possibility. What Lori had done had scarred them both. But if there was even a whisper of truth in her theory, shouldn’t he consider her words?

He had no answers, no clear idea of what to do next. The only thing he knew for sure was that she was right about one thing. If he let her go without trying, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Twenty-Six

“You’re not eating,” Dena pointed out, grateful she’d put on yoga pants after she’d gotten home from work. Ursula had outdone herself with the food. “Did you not see that there are bacon jalapeño poppers and mini black bean and cheese tostadas? Plus chips and guacamole. You’re from LA. This should be your thing.”

She was sitting with Micah in the dining room. They’d agreed to meet for Snacks and Wine, something she’d been looking forward to all day.

Micah, as gorgeous as ever, in jeans and a sweater just a few shades darker than his eyes, smiled at her. “Sorry, I’ve been thinking.”

“You can’t think and eat?”

He chuckled. “I can and I will.” He rose with lazy grace. “Be right back.”

She knew it was wrong, but she turned to watch him walk away. The man had an amazing butt. And long legs. He was so incredibly perfect that she couldn’t help wishing they were more than friends. Seeing him naked would be a memory she would treasure the rest of her life. She wasn’t crazy enough to wish for sex, but just a casual glance at his awesomeness would be pretty incredible.

Ah, dreams, she thought, then did her best not to laugh.

He returned with two plates. One had several appetizers on it, and the other had a scoop of guacamole and a handful of chips. He pushed that one toward her.

“Because of the reverence in your voice when you said guacamole,” he teased.

“I can’t help it. Washington State grows lots of fruits and vegetables, along with amazing grapes for wine. We even produce most of the country’s hops, which beer drinkers everywhere should celebrate. But we don’t have a climate for avocados. Sad but true.”

She grabbed a chip and scooped up guacamole. “It’s the small things that make life so nice.” And the company, but she was careful not to say that.

It was near the end of the Snacks and Wine hour, with only a few guests lingering before heading back to their rooms or out for dinner.

“I should have had a salad,” she said, picking up another bacon jalapeño popper. “Although technically this is a vegetable, right? Hmm, I have beans for protein, cheese, vegetables.”

“You’re saying you’re having a healthy dinner?”