Executive Protection(70)

The shock of that announcement rippled through Thad as he turned to look at his best friend’s profile. “When?”

“This May. It’s going to be small. Just a few of our friends and family.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire life.”

Stunned, Thad believed him.

“I’d like you to be the best man.”

Darcy was marrying a woman he’d just met. “Yeah. Of course.”

“Don’t you feel the same about Lucy?”

Yes, an inner voice responded. But Thad stopped it from going any further.

That’s when he realized he did stop his feelings for Lucy. What would happen if he didn’t? Wasn’t that what Lucy had asked him to do? It was her ultimatum. She’d refuse any intimacy with him unless he stopped laying the law down with regard to marriage.

“You do,” Darcy said for him. “I can tell.” When Thad would have protested, Darcy cut him off. “I know you. You love her.”

He didn’t want to love her.

“If you throw it away, you’ll never forget her, and you’ll never find anyone like her. If you’re really sure you’ll never get married, you’ll get exactly what you ask for if you let Lucy go.”

The truth of that reverberated inside him. What if he was making a mistake letting Lucy go? Was he letting her go?

No. Something powerful inside him rebelled against that. And yet...

“It scares you,” Darcy said. “You’re afraid. I get that. But there comes a point when you have to leap forward and take a chance.”

“I need time to think about it.”

“Don’t take too much time. Lucy won’t wait for long.” Putting his bowl of popcorn aside, Darcy stood. “I should get home to Avery. She’s getting off work right now.”

Thad stood, too, and then followed him upstairs. Seeing him out the door, he heard voices in the kitchen and went there. His mother and Lucy were still up and they were deep into a serious conversation.

“You’re well enough to take care of yourself,” Lucy said. “You don’t need me anymore.”

Was she going to leave? The swell of regret gripped Thad. No. She couldn’t leave yet.

“Perhaps. And there couldn’t have been anyone more capable than you, Lucy, but I’d like you to stay regardless. You’re safer here.”

“I was never in danger. Cam wasn’t involved in the shooting.”

“Lucy. We don’t know what the shooter will do or who is working with him. You could be vulnerable.”

“I don’t see how.”

“You mean something to Thad. You could be used against him.”

“I don’t mean enough. He’s barely spoken to me over the past few days. I think it would be better for both of us if I just left. I need to get on with my life. Go back to work at Duke...”

Her voice trailed off, but what she would have said next hung in the air.

“Find a man,” his mother said.

Lucy sighed.

“Give it a little more time,” Kate said. “At least until after Trey’s wedding.”

His older brother’s marriage was coming up next week, at the end of March.

“I don’t know if I can.” Lucy sounded sad, her voice low and without energy.

Thad turned away from the door and leaned his back against the wall, letting his head fall back. He had avoided her since they’d come back from the Outer Banks. So full of confusion, he didn’t hear Lucy and his mother leave the kitchen. Lucy was the first to appear through the doorway. He lifted his head. His mother stopped behind Lucy, both surprised to find him there, both knowing he’d heard what had been said.

“I’m going to bed.” His mother left them alone.

Thad straightened from the wall and faced Lucy, at a loss for what to say.

“I should go to bed, too.” Lucy started to walk away.

Without knowing why, he took hold of her arm and stopped her, gently bringing her back to him.

“My mother’s right. You should stay.”

She eased out of his grasp. “Why?”

For him. But he couldn’t say that, so he didn’t say anything.

Disappointment dulled her usually bright green eyes. “Did it mean nothing to you?”

“No. It did.” She had to know Carova had meant something. It meant too much. “I just...”

“Feel safer running away.”

Many thoughts bombarded him, all of which he should verbalize so that she understood him. If only he could organize them all and start with one.

“Lucy...” He reached for her, wishing she wouldn’t put so much pressure on him.

She stepped back. She’d made her requirements clear. She was asking him to be open to whatever the future brought. But he couldn’t do that. Although she claimed not to expect marriage, he knew that she did. If not with him, then someone. The idea of her with another man gathered in a tight ball in the pit of his stomach. But then, so did the idea of getting married.

Watching him, Lucy’s lips quivered subtly. He thought she would cry. She turned away before he could be sure. He didn’t go after her. If he did, he’d comfort her, reassure her, and where would that lead? Down an unknown road with bends and curves he’d rather not travel.