CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“MAL…?”
So many questions formed in her mind, and yet she couldn’t get a single one out. It was a mistake, of course, that he was here. No matter what this looked like, he wasn’t here for her.
Her stupid heart had no right to wish it. He didn’t let her go, and she stood as still as a frightened rabbit trying to hide from a wolf.
“I went to the bar where you work. They told me you were here tonight. But not until I arm-wrestled someone called Tex first. Jesus, that guy was tough.”
Sabrina felt as if someone had thunked her on the head and the whole world was just a bit swimmy. “I’m sorry… Tex? You arm-wrestled Tex?”
Tex was the bouncer and he was as big as a house. She’d almost let him wring Brian’s neck, but she couldn’t imagine him getting Mal to agree to arm-wrestle.
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Not sure my new boss will appreciate me risking my arm that way. You do crazy things when you’re desperate.”
Seriously, she was in an alternate universe here. It was as if every third word was English and the rest was gibberish. “Mal, you’re going to have to explain. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He took her hand—took her guitar too—and led her down the block before she could voice a protest. There were people out walking in the cool fall air, enjoying the last nice days before winter took hold. There were shops and cafes along the way, and Mal finally pulled her into one and found a table near a window. The place was a diner with a counter and a few small tables. Nothing fancy. It almost reminded her of Joe’s back in Bridle Beach, more because of the atmosphere than the actual decor.
“I miss you, Sabrina.”
She pulled her hand from his and tucked it under her arm. He was looking at her with those beautiful green eyes of his, and they clouded just a bit when she did that. She wanted to apologize, but she didn’t.
“What is this about, Mal? If you’ve come to town and want to hook up, I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
Had she somehow missed that the Outlaws were playing the Titans? She thought she’d checked the schedule and that wasn’t happening. What if she’d screwed up?
“Hook up?”
He shook his head and laughed. She didn’t find it funny.
“I’m not here for a hookup, Sabrina. I missed you. Really missed you. I’ve been traded to the Titans—”
“Traded to the Titans?” She practically screeched it. Heads turned and faces gazed at them with interest. Any minute, someone would recognize him.
Mal reached for her hand again, oblivious. This time she didn’t jerk away.
“Yes. Traded. You said we couldn’t date long distance. So I came to you. I told you I was a free agent… that means I can move to another team, and I wanted the Titans.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll go out with me.”
Go out with him? She wanted to leap on him and kiss him senseless. And yet she was afraid, too. Afraid this wasn’t real. That it was too fast and too crazy, that she’d somehow find out it was all a joke if she gave in to her feelings and let him see what he did to her.
“I don’t… uh, I’m not sure.”
“Not sure?” He was the one who looked stunned now. And then his eyes narrowed. “Is there someone else? Did you get back together with that creep?”
“What? No!” She tried to calm the racing of her heart. Tried to be sensible as she looked him in the eyes. Her crazy-ass heart didn’t want sensible. It wanted heat and passion and Mal.
She’d managed sensible when Brian had showed up again. Why couldn’t she manage it with Mal?
“You’re scared, aren’t you? Scared this isn’t real, that I’ve somehow come here to take advantage of you, or that we’ll burn out quickly and you’ll regret saying yes.”
She nodded.
He gripped her hand harder. “What if I told you that you’d regret it more if you said no? Aren’t you the woman who told me you didn’t want regrets? That you wanted me too much to pass up a few nights with me before returning to your life? I’m offering you more nights—as many as you want, as many as you’ll give me—because I’ve been crazy without you. Thinking of you, wanting you, needing more of you.”
“For God’s sake, honey, say yes or I will!”
Sabrina turned to see half the diner watching them. A waitress in a frilly apron and pink dress—who looked seventy if she was a day—was standing there with two menus in her hand, looking at Sabrina as if she were insane.
“Tell that boy yes and then have some pie.” She plopped the menus down in front of them. “The sweetheart pie is exceptionally good today. Just the thing for two lovers to share.”
“We’ll take the pie,” Mal said. “And two coffees. Better make them decaf.”
The waitress walked away, grumbling under her breath. Mal smiled at Sabrina and her pulse throttled higher. He was so beautiful and he was here. It was something she’d secretly longed for… and it terrified her at the same time.
She wanted Mal with all her heart. Wanted him more than she’d ever wanted Brian—and hell, she’d nearly married Brian. What did that say about her judgment? What if she said yes and it all imploded on her later? Her heart couldn’t take it. Her heart had barely survived leaving Mal after a few days—how would it survive if they were together for months and then it didn’t work out?
Fear clawed at her, clogging her throat, squeezing her insides tight. She had to get out of here. Had to breathe some fresh, cold air and clear her head before she passed out.
She scrambled off the chair while Mal looked at her with alarm.
“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I… I can’t—”