Only His (Fool's Gold #6)(84)

“I’ve done the important part,” Cat told her, then touched her shoulder. “Come with me.”

“Cat, you know I can’t.”

“No.” Cat’s green eyes darkened. “You don’t want to. There’s a difference.”

Nevada bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. I know this is important to you, but there’s no way I can be in that kind of relationship with you.”

“Your loss,” Cat said lightly.

“Tell me about it.”

Just then Cody, one of the college guys who rented from Nevada, walked up.

“Hey,” he said, handing Herbert a duffel bag. He slid into the back of the limo.

Nevada looked from the open door back to Cat.

“No way.”

Cat’s smile turned mischievous. “He’s not you, but he gets me through the night.”

“He’s a boy.”

“Yes. All that youthful enthusiasm and energy. He’s good for at least three times a night and I’m teaching him exactly how to please me. There are worse fates.”

“He didn’t give notice that he was leaving,” Nevada said, knowing she should probably be more worried about Cody’s future than her rental income.

“He’ll be back and, in the meantime, I’ll pay his rent.”

Cat leaned in and kissed her. Nevada didn’t turn away in time, or maybe she felt she shouldn’t. Either way, Cat’s soft lips pressed against hers, then lingered for a heartbeat before she drew away.

Cat sighed. “If I could convince you.”

“It’s not just the girl thing,” Nevada admitted. “It’s that I want something permanent. Like what my parents had. A forever kind of love. My sisters have found it and I’m hoping it’s out there for me, too. You’re amazing, Cat, but you don’t do long term. You can’t. Not with your gift.”

Cat’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re right,” she whispered. “My art always comes first. Eventually I’d feel confined and my work would suffer.”

Nevada realized that for once, they were both speaking the truth. Even if she was interested in Cat, the other woman couldn’t give her what she wanted.

“I’ll miss you,” Nevada told her.

“And I’ll miss you.”

They hugged.

When they straightened, Cat smiled at her. “If I could have loved anyone, it would have been you.”

Nevada touched her cheek. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”

Cat climbed into the limo. Herbert shut the door, then scurried around to the passenger seat and got in. Seconds later, the long, black car drove away.

Nevada stood there in front of the hotel. The afternoon was clear, but the forecast called for snow that night. It was perfect weather for a fire and maybe a man in front of that fire.

But she wanted more than that. Telling Cat the truth had opened up something inside of her. Something she’d been afraid to admit.

She did want more than a lover. She wanted a husband and a family. She wanted to have roots and traditions. She wanted to hear the man she loved tell her he loved her back. She wanted to know they would be there for each other, no matter what. She wanted it all.

THE DRIVE TO THE WORK SITE had never taken so long or seemed so short, Nevada thought as she parked her truck next to the trailer. She’d had enough time to try to talk herself down, all the while considering what she was going to say.

She knew there was risk involved, that the conversation could go very badly, but still she had to try. She owed herself that.

She walked into the trailer. Tucker was on the phone. He smiled when he saw her and motioned he wouldn’t be long. A few seconds later, he hung up.

“What did Cat want?” he asked.

“To say goodbye. She left.”

“What about the statue? Did she change her mind?”

“No such luck. It’s finished and she wants me to present it to the town.”

“Better you than me. Mayor Marsha isn’t going to be happy.”

A problem for another time, she thought, walking toward him.

She took the seat next to his desk and drew in a breath. She was shaking a little and thought she might have to throw up. Not the best combination, but waiting would only make things worse.

He drew his eyebrows together and touched her cheek. “You okay?”

She nodded. “I have to tell you something.”

“You’re running off with Cat.”

“No. Although she did ask.”

“You have to give her points for persistence.”

“I do.” She looked into his eyes. “Tucker, I know your relationship with Cat was difficult. That you were obsessed with her.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Tell me about it. What a mistake.”

“It was, but you were a kid.”

“Nearly twenty-three. I should have known better.”

“How? You’d grown up all around the world, never settling in one place. You didn’t know what it was like to just date someone. To have a crush and then get over it. Then you met Cat, and even someone with a whole lot more relationship experience couldn’t have handled her very well. You did the best you could.”

He looked uncomfortable. “Why are you saying this?”