Free All That I Need (Grayson Friends) by Francis Ray Page A

wouldn’t be standing here getting on my last nerve.”
    “Does that mean you aren’t angry with me anymore?”
    That she could answer. “Not by a long shot. You acted as if it were some sort of privilege to be asked out by you, and at the same time as if the request was dragged out of you. You can’t make up your mind about me, and I don’t have the time or patience to wait around until you do.”
    He looked shell-shocked. “Fal—”
    She held up her hand. “Leave. I’m hoping you’re enough of a gentleman to leave without me calling the police. You’re not wanted here.”
    He stiffened. For a long moment he stared at her. “I apologize if my presence offends you.”
    The loneliness in his voice shouldn’t pull at her. She’d caught enough of the conversation last night to know he and his mother didn’t get along and that he hadn’t seen his aunt and uncle in years despite obviously loving them. What had made him stay away from his family, to be so self-contained?
    “You won’t have to see me again.”
    All she had to do was keep quiet, but the results would hurt people she’d come to care about—including the infuriating but compelling man standing in front of her, his broad shoulders slumped, his eyes bleak.
    “That’s going to be tricky, since we’re both in the wedding.”
    “I’ll explain to Richard that I have business obligations. Good-bye.” He started for the door.
    “You can’t hurt Richard and his family like that just because we can’t get along,” she protested. “Let’s just pretend that this afternoon never happened, and each wish the other well.”
    “You were right about me earlier.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m not sure what to do about you or how you make me feel.”
    “Who was she?”
    His eyes widened in shock. He actually took a step backward.
    “Studying people and trying to figure them out is a hobby. I’d say a successful man like you wouldn’t be this conflicted if something major hadn’t happened in the past to make you leery.” She went to the first handled bag and pulled out the rose. He’d come a long way; perhaps he could go further. “I better get this in some water. While I’m doing that, you can figure out a nice way to ask me out or you can leave. Either way, you’re staying in the wedding as a groomsman.”
    “I’m not going to talk about it.”
    Relieved, though her curiosity was not satisfied, Fallon pulled a pitcher from the cabinet and filled it with water. Despite everything, she was beginning to care about the stubborn, lonely man. He needed her, she thought, then rolled her eyes. She wasn’t going to be one of those women who talked themselves into being some man’s savior only to lose a part of themselves in the process.
    “Your choice, but don’t confuse me with her. Since I had trouble dealing with the past, as we both are aware, I’ll cut you some slack.” The silence was so oppressive that she half-expected him to be gone when she turned.
    He stood by the front door as if he wasn’t sure about staying. Placing the container on the coffee table in the living room, she picked up her rich chocolate-colored gown. “I need to hang this up.”
    “Fallon.”
    “Yes?” She paused, her expression cordial as she faced him.
    He looked wary, as if he wasn’t sure of himself. “I’d like to take you out tonight,” he said, then added, “It would be a date.”
    “Any idea where we’re going?”
    “No, but if you say yes I’ll figure it out by the time I pick you up,” he told her, his body visibly relaxing.
    She smiled to put him at ease. “Since I have to know how to dress, it would be a good idea to tell me before then.”
    *   *   *
    Lance hadn’t dated in years. Since he’d walked out on Ashley three years ago it wasn’t difficult finding women who only wanted the same thing he did, sexual release without obligation. Once the encounter was over at her place, never his, they never saw each other again.