The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(53)

Rob just smiled. “That’s very sweet. I take it Sully’s been alone a long time. And Helen?”

“I guess she was in love a couple of times, but I barely noticed and she never talked about it. Helen has always been so independent. And such a strong feminist.”

“Can I get you something?” he asked.

“Well,” she said, looking around. The crowd was thinning. “I’ll take an ice water.”

He brought it to her. “I have an idea I want to run by you. Sunday after next, let’s go to dinner at this great little hole in the wall Portuguese restaurant in Denver. I know the chef there. He’s amazing.”

“It must be amazing if you’re willing to drive all the way to Denver for dinner,” she said. “I’ll go anywhere you want to go.”

“I like those long drives with you, even though traffic can be torture. We could stay overnight. I thought I’d ask Sid and Cody to stay at the house with the boys. The boys probably don’t really need a babysitter, but if I’m going to be that far away, I’d like a responsible adult nearby.”

“Stay overnight?” she said, swallowing.

“Cody told me about this great mountain resort not far south of Denver. I thought we could try it. I know you have an early start—we can check out early and get home early.”

“Or I could ask Bill Dodd to cover for me,” she said. “Then we don’t have to get back too early. We could at least have breakfast. If you’re interested.”

“I’d like it to be next Sunday,” he said. “But Sid and Dakota are busy. We’ll see each other between now and then. Maybe not for the night, but...”

“I didn’t think we’d ever have a whole night,” she said, knowing how challenging it was for him to make arrangements like this. “The boys will give you a lot of grief.”

“I’m partially deaf, did I mention that?” he said.

“Very convenient,” she said.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked her outside and kissed her good-night. It was not the kind of kiss they shared when the atmosphere was more private. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he said. “I like having a girlfriend.”

“That’s very nice,” she said. “I think I like having a boyfriend.”

“Well, I know I’m not that much of a boyfriend,” he said. “If I haven’t said so before, I really appreciate your understanding about the facts of my life—that I have so many commitments. If I were just a single guy without kids, without a demanding business, we’d be together a lot more often. Our relationship wouldn’t be so casual.”

She frowned. Where was this going? “Rob, you had the kids and the business first. I understand that you’re busy.”

He kissed her forehead. “Thank you,” he said. “That’s important. I think there will come a time when the boys won’t need me as much, when the pub won’t need me as much. A couple of years and we’ll both be more free.”

“Are you trying to remind me not to get too serious?” she asked.

“Neither of us can get serious, but we’re still having a fantastic time. Aren’t we?”

“Why don’t you just say it, get it out of the way. You want to be sure I’m not expecting to get married.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” he said.

“I bet it’s very close,” she said.

He took a deep breath. “Parts of our relationship are very intense and I don’t want to change that, but—”

“But you want to make sure I know the boundaries. Well, I do. Let it go before you make me feel managed.”

He laughed. “You are an amazing woman. Okay, sue me—I’m not used to a woman like you.”

“I thought your last lady friend was exactly like this. You said you hardly saw each other.”

“This is so different,” he said. “We do see each other. Not as much as I’d like, but every time we’re together, I know I won’t be able to wait a couple of months. It takes willpower to wait a couple of days.”

“Then don’t. And stop trying to make sure I don’t have expectations.”

He smiled and shook his head. “You nailed me,” he said. “I already care about you so much I don’t want to hurt or disappoint you. And I don’t want to move too fast. Does it feel like I’m moving too fast?”

“It sounds like you’re trying to make sure we have an understanding. I’m thirty-four, have no desire to play games. You are a lovely distraction but my hopes and dreams haven’t changed. I’m not a dreamy girl. But there better be one understanding—I didn’t think I’d have to be this specific. One woman at a time, Rob. That’s where I draw the line.”

“Absolutely, Leigh,” he said.

“Good. Then I think we’ll be fine.”

He put his arms around her waist. He smiled. “Kiss me. I have to get in there and start closing up.”

And that kiss held all the passion of their private moments.

“Relax,” she said. “I’m not going to trick you into marriage or trap you into a more serious commitment. Let’s just enjoy this.”