Free Letting Go (Vista Falls #3) by Cheryl Douglas

but…”
    “You don’t want me to misread the signals.” He stepped back, trying to give her the space she claimed to want. “I get it.”
    “I didn’t feel good about where we left things last night,” she said, repositioning the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “So I’m glad you came by tonight. I agree we need to talk, to clear the air so to speak. But I need you to know that…” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Sex isn’t on the table. That doesn’t mean we can’t spend time together as friends, but there can’t be anything more between us. I need to know that you’re okay with that.”
    If he lied to her and told her that he was finally ready to settle down, he believed she would give him another chance, but if there was one woman he could never lie to it was Gabby. “I understand.”
    “Do you?”
    “Yeah.” There was so much sadness in that one word because he didn’t want to understand. He didn’t want to back off. He wanted to pursue her. But how could he, knowing she could get hurt again and it would be all his fault? “Come on, let’s grab that burger. I’m starving.”
    She led the way to the diner, smiling when he opened the glass door before she could. “Thanks.”
    He hadn’t been much of a gentleman back in high school, mainly because he’d never had a real man to show him how to be one. But over the years, he’d taught himself all he needed to know to impress a lady. “My pleasure.”
    “Well, I don’t believe my eyes!”
    Colt grimaced at the sight of the now-white-haired waitress who’d been serving them since high school. “Hey, Paula. How’ve you been?”
    “Colt and Gabby together again,” she said, winking at Gabby. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
    “Oh, we’re not…” Gabby blushed as she gestured from Colt to herself. “We’re not, uh, together. We’re just friends. I was just closing up shop when Colt passed by and said he was on his way to grab a bite, so I decided to join him.” She shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Just two old friends grabbing some food.” She looked around the diner, noting the several people tucked into booths who had turned to look at them. “Nothing to see here.”
    Colt bit the inside of his lip, thinking how cute Gabby sounded when she babbled. He should have saved her from further embarrassment but decided to let her wind down on her own.
    “Whatever you say, honey,” Paula said with a laugh as she grabbed two plastic menus from a stand by the door. “You two come on over here. I’ve got just the table for you. Nice and private.”
    “Oh, we don’t need privacy,” Gabby said, stopping abruptly as Colt’s hands settled on her waist. “It’s not like we’ll be talking about anything personal. Just small talk.” She looked out the window. “Maybe the weather.” She grimaced as though she realized how ridiculous she must sound. “It sure has been warm this week, hasn’t it? Not that I’m complaining. I’ll take this over snow any day, wouldn’t you?”
    Paula laughed as she set the menus on their table. “You need to relax, girl. You’re going to get high blood pressure, getting all worked up like this.”
    Colt smiled at the waitress. Paula was one of the few people in town who had never blamed him for his father’s sins. She used to serve them when they’d been wild kids coming in after every football game. “Thanks, Paula.”
    She patted his cheek affectionately. “It sure is good to see you back home where you belong.”
    “Thanks, it’s good to be back.”
    Resting a hand on Gabby’s shoulder when she sat down, Paula said, “Maybe you should have a piece of Bea’s chocolate cream pie. That’s sure to calm your nerves.”
    “Oh God,” Gabby said, dropping her head into her hand when Paula walked away. “What’s wrong with me?” She glared at Colt. “And why did you let me go on like that, making a damn fool of myself?”
    “I happen to think you’re cute when