Free Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) by Kelli McCracken

That’s why I told you to call me. All I want to do is catch up.”
    Guilt wavered in Ally’s heart. Maybe she’d been wrong about him. That he hadn’t stayed in Savannah to mess with her. That he honestly wanted to make amends and be her friend, just like he had been years ago. But could she do it? Things had changed between them. Even before they’d moved away. She’d fallen for him. Wanted to take the next step with him and start a relationship, but he didn’t. Even if she agreed to be his friend, he’d eventually want to settle down. She couldn’t handle seeing him with another woman.
    “We’re different people now, Jonah. We can’t pick up where we left off.”
    “I know and I’m not asking you to.” He hesitated as a group of people passed. When the last person went by, he reached down to her hands, cupping them in his. “Our friendship built over time. I think it could again.”
    Yeah, they’d work real hard at it each time he came in from L.A. How could they rebuild their friendship with him gone all the time? Friends grew closer because they hung out. Shared hopes, dreams, even their fears. She couldn’t reconnect with him if he was never around.
    “Whatever you’re telling yourself, don’t.” His voice sounded shaky. He even cleared it before speaking again. “Please, just hear me out. I’d like to take you to dinner on Saturday. Not on a date, but just to hang out. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
    Ally parted her lips to refuse him, then snapped them shut. There was no point in arguing. Jonah had given her the puppy eyes. Her greatest weakness.
    Damn him.
    She exhaled, slumping her shoulders as she offered him a smile. “Okay, I’ll go. What time should I meet you?”
    “I can pick you up.”
    Which is exactly what she wanted to avoid. Screw it. She’d agreed to go to dinner with him. What would it hurt for him to know where she lived? If they were going to be friends again, he’d find out anyway.
    Scratch that. As soon as he visited his parents, he’d know.
    “I’ll be ready at seven. Is that okay?”
    The spark in his eyes had returned. Giving her a smile that had her heart racing, he nodded his head and then released her hands. “Sounds great. Oh, you didn’t tell me where you live.”
    “I live in the second house on the right…over on White Oak.”
    Jonah’s eyes widened. “You live near my parents?”
    Ally gave him a smile before walking away. “See you Saturday, at seven, Jonah. Don’t be late.”

CHAPTER 7
     
    Ally adjusted the hem of her skirt, worrying that she’d picked the shortest one. Each time she crossed her legs, the material crept up a little further. Thank goodness the white tablecloth billowed around her from the waist down.
    Moving her eyes across the table, she found Jonah replacing his beer on a coaster. He’d been nursing the drink ever since the server brought it. Must have been his attempt at being a gentleman. She knew how much he could drink. Had spent many nights sneaking out of her house with a bottle for him and Cassie. In fact, both her friends would be dead if she hadn’t been their designated driver.
    My how their roles had changed.
    Grasping the stem of her wine glass, she placed it to her lips, pouring the last of the contents into her mouth. The soft cherry taste teased her tongue. Guess it was too late to drink in moderation, but she’d try to go slower with the next glass. And there would definitely be another glass.
    She had hoped this dinner wouldn’t be awkward like the last two times she ran into Jonah. Maybe it wouldn’t be if she’d kept their relationship on a friendship level. But she didn’t do that. Went and fell for him instead.
    What an idiot.
    Not realizing how loudly she groaned, she met Jonah’s gaze. Though a smile tugged at his mouth, he didn’t fully give in to the urge. “I hope that’s for the lack of flavor in this food, not because you’re here with me.”
    “You don’t like the