have more time with him. âSure.â
His steps slowed but they continued their walk, pausing at her car. âI need to talk to you.â
Something in his tone had her stomach churning uncomfortably. âWhat is it?â She shielded her eyes from the setting sun, squinting as she met his gaze.
âHere.â He held her arm and moved her around so he could swap places with her, taking the brunt of the glare. He leaned against the car and shaded his eyes with his hand.
She waited for him to speak.
Finally he cleared his throat. âThis afternoon? That kiss?â
Gabrielleâs entire body stiffened in automatic denial. âOh, no. No way are you going to tell me it was a mistake.â Not when everything about it, and them, had beenâand could still beâso right, she thought.
âMaybe I should tell you more about my past few years so youâll understand why I still believe in curses. Now more than ever.â The set of his jaw told her he wasnât kidding.
She stepped back, needing space so she could think. Argue. Fight. Because she wasnât going to let him go as easily as she had the last time. She was older now, wiser. Stronger emotionally and at a point when sheâd experienced more of life, and she knew what she wanted. She wanted Derek and she wasnât going to let him use ancient history as an excuse not to try again.
âLook, Iâm only in town for another few days, but I only live an hour from here. We have all the time in the world to talk things out. Itâs been so long, canât we just enjoy getting to know each other again?â she asked, in an effort to buy herself time before he made a final decision.
She turned around to see his face and caught sight of her car. Her beloved black convertible, purchased with her first big advance, had been keyed. An ugly scratch mark split the paint from below the handle across to the end of the single door. âBastard!â
âHey, Iâm just looking out for you,â Derek said, clearly upset.
âNot you! My car. Someone keyed my car!â She pointed to the long, jagged mark in the paint.
He jerked around in surprise and studied the damage for himself. âThat wasnât an accident,â he said under his breath a few moments later.
âMerde!â She cursed in French. âWho would do such a thing?â
Derek ran a hand over his eyes. âI have no idea.â But he didnât like the fact that someone thought nothing of doing this with a huge crowd inside.
âCome on. Letâs get you back to the Rhodes Inn. Iâll call Harry at the garage and talk to him about getting it painted.â
She shook her head. âIâll take it into the Lexus dealer when I get home,â she said, her mood deflated.
She pulled out her keys and unlocked the doors. The beep echoed in the night air. She climbed inside.
He joined her around the other side, unsure of what to say. He sure as hell wasnât going to upset her any more by bringing up the curse. He leaned back against the seat and heard a crunching sound of paper beneath him.
He reached down and pulled out a piece of paper. âSorry,â he muttered, smoothing the crumpled paper in his lap.
Gabrielle reached to snatch it back but it was too late. Heâd already read the red scrawl. Go home or else. âWhat the hell is this?â
âItâs nothing.â She leaned back in her seat and exhaled hard.
âI donât call a threat nothing.â If someone had a problem with Gabrielle, they were going to have to deal with him first.
âItâs hardly a threat. Itâs more like a welcome note I received this morning.â She put the key in the ignition and started the car.
âItâs still a threat. Did you tell Sharon? The police? Anyone?â
She laughed. âCome on, Derek. Itâs written in crayon, for Godâs sake. Nobody in their right mind would take