Thrill Me
She wanted to say yes, but she wasn’t sure. As a teenager, she hadn’t been willing to trust Del. Lessons learned early were difficult to overcome. Maya had grown up with the sense of being in the way. Of never being loved or even vaguely important to anyone. She’d vowed she would never wait to be rescued, that she would take care of herself. A promise that made it difficult to give her heart to a young man she’d known for two months.
“They’re going to be a great segment,” she said.
“I agree.”
He walked around to the passenger side of the truck and held open the door. When she went to step inside, he placed his hand on her arm.
“It’s okay that we didn’t make it.”
The unexpected comment caught her by surprise. She felt a quick jab of pain. Or maybe just loss. “I never gave us a chance. We can’t know what would have happened, although I have to admit, I don’t think our odds were great.”
“Because you didn’t love me enough?”
“No. You were never the problem. It was me. Until I moved to Fool’s Gold, I’d never seen a successful marriage. Except for the ones on TV and those weren’t real.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
Of course he would have questions, she thought. Because as a teenager, she’d never told anyone the truth. Being honest came at too high a price. So she’d glossed over the ugly details, mentioning only that her dad was gone and her mother enjoyed having a kid.
“My dad took off before I was born. My mom had a string of boyfriends, but none of them lasted. She didn’t have girlfriends she hung out with.” Her mouth twisted. “I had friends at school, but I wasn’t exactly the girl you invited home for a sleepover. I think I made the other parents nervous. So I didn’t get to see what normal was like until we moved here.”
She squared her shoulders as she spoke, prepared to defend herself if necessary. Because you never knew.
Instead of speaking, Del pulled her close for a brief hug. When he released her, he said lightly, “So you’re lucky I came along, huh? Learn from the best.”
She groaned. “You have such an ego.”
He winked. “Is that what we’re calling it? And thank you.”
As quickly as that, equilibrium was restored. An impressive gift, she thought as she climbed into the passenger seat and he shut her door. Just one of many.
* * *
TWO DAYS LATER Maya sat at a big table at Jo’s Bar, enjoying lunch with the girls. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done anything like this. Sure, she and Phoebe ate lunch or dinner together. But that was just the two of them. In her world, Maya hadn’t had much in the way of group girlfriend plans.
As she listened to the easy conversation going around the table, she wondered why that was. She supposed that a lot of her friends back in Los Angeles had also been competitors. No one had time for get-togethers. Or a willingness to get too friendly with someone who could steal your job. Or maybe it was a Fool’s Gold thing.
There were seven of them around the table today. Madeline, a pretty blonde who was part-owner of Paper Moon—the local bridal gown boutique. Destiny, a recent transplant and songwriter, Bailey, the mayor’s assistant, Patience, the owner of Brew-haha and someone Maya remembered from when she’d been a teenager, Phoebe, and Dellina, Phoebe’s wedding planner and another local.
“I swear it was him,” Madeline was saying. “In the flesh. I thought I was going to die.”
“You sound like you’re fifteen,” Patience told her with a grin. “I said that with love, not judgment. Jonny Blaze, here in town? There’s going to be a lot of swooning.”
“He’s so good-looking,” Madeline told them. “And that body. Those muscles are real.”
“You want to trace every inch of them?” Maya asked, reaching for a chip from the large platter of nachos that had been delivered.
“Twice!”
Everyone laughed.
Phoebe smiled at Madeline. “He’s very nice. Single, I think. Want me to introduce you?”
Madeline shook her head. “That would ruin the fantasy. What if he’s not as great as I think he is?”
“What if he’s better?” Maya asked.
“Is that likely? I don’t think so.”
Everyone laughed.
Conversation flowed easily. Maya watched Phoebe chat with the other women and liked the changes she saw in her friend. Gone was the tension. Instead, her friend was relaxed and happy. Fool’s Gold looked good on her. Or maybe it was being in love with Zane. Because love sure brought a glow to Phoebe.
Had she looked like that back when Del had been her world? Maya hoped so. Although she’d been terrified, she’d loved him as much as she’d been able. Certainly more than she’d ever loved another man.
Working with him now was nice, she thought. Easier than she would have guessed. He was a good guy. Funny, charming, a fantastic kisser.
Thinking about their kiss made her smile. If she couldn’t forget that chaste lip encounter, then she should be grateful he hadn’t taken things further. Had they done more, she would be so distracted she wouldn’t be able to get anything done.
It wasn’t him, she told herself firmly. She’d just been too long without a good kissing. As soon as she got her act together and found a boyfriend, she would be fine. Or so she hoped. Because it would be foolish to still have a thing for Del. He was so over her as to practically think of her as his little sister. At least that was how he acted. Which was a good thing, right?