Free Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 by Yvette Hines, Monique Lamont Page A

back.
    He lowered his hand.
    “I don’t want to lead you on. My feelings for you haven’t changed. I see you as a friend. A friend I really like,” she rushed on trying to soften the blow.
    “But solely a friend?” The shadows on his face became cloud of discouragement.
    “Daryl, it’s not that I don’t want to—n”
    Lifting both his hand up, he stepped back along the path. “I get it. I’m glad you’re honest with me. Even if I don’t like the outcome.”
    “I remember you telling me when we first went out that you had a plan. Get married, run for Mayor and have a child within the next five years.”
    “That’s still it.” He let out a dry chuckle. “I was hoping that wife would be you.”
    Sighing, she shook her head. “It won’t. I think its best you start looking elsewhere.”
    “I see that now.” He offered her a small smile. “It has been memorable. I wish you happiness, Sonya. Something in your life more than work.” He brushed a finger along her cheek.
    Nodding, she stood silent.
    Turning, he headed back to his car in her driveway. His lights flashed as he unlocked his door.
    As he walked away, she felt a twinge of sadness about losing his friendship, but knew it was for the best. Realizing she forgot to thank him for his gift, she called out after him. “Thank you for the flowers yesterday, they were beautiful.”
    At his car, he pulled open the door then turned to face her. “I didn’t send you flowers. I guess you have someone else whose heart you’ve captured.”
    With that said he gave her a short wave then got into his car and reversed out of her life.
    Her hands tightened around her keys and her heart thumped in her chest.
    Parker. Parker. Parker. His name whispered to the rhythm of the beat.
    Going to her door, she tried to figure out how she should handle the situation. She was thankful that she had a trip coming up and wouldn’t have to do anything about it at least until Wednesday.
    They were just flowers. Nothing more, nothing special. Don’t read too much into it. She tried to tell herself.
    However, it was apparent to her that even though he had been silent over the last month or so, he hadn’t given up on reconnecting with her.
    Getting her ex out of her life seemed like it was going to be a much harder task then sending Daryl off to find happiness.
    Do you really want him to find happiness somewhere else?
    That was the million-dollar question. Before his return in her life, the answer would have been an easy yes. Now that he was so close to her, she could say how she felt for sure.
    ~ML~
    “Oh, hello, Dr. Hayden.”
    Stopped by the sound of his name, Parker turned on his way through his wing to Sonya’s office to drop off a package. A woman in the museum’s staff uniform was standing three feet behind him. Evidently, he passed her and hadn’t seen her standing there.
    “Forgive my rudeness. Hi. Can I help you with something?”
    “No. Yes. Um. I’m Stacey, I work admissions. I was just fascinated about,” she waved her hands around. “All this. Bugs and stuff, you know.”
    “Really?” He made an effort to keep his brows relaxed. The woman didn’t appear fascinated.
    “Yes.” She let out an odd giggle. “I’ve always thought bugs were kinda creepy.” She swallowed and her eyes darted around her, not really resting on any one place. “Now…now, it’s all interesting.”
    It wasn’t uncommon for most people to be uncomfortable in his exhibit. People generally feared what they didn’t understand.
    “I’m glad you are coming to appreciate invertebrates.” He turned, prepared to continue toward his destination.
    “Well, I am…” she rushed into his path.
    He had to halt abruptly to keep himself from smacking into her.
    “I am interested.” She paused, holding his gaze.
    He arched a brow and stared back.
    Preening before him, she fluffed her short, jet-black bob and appeared to arch her back in a way that made her breasts beneath her dark blazer