“You mom is here, spending time with my dad...you know how overprotective you get.”

  “I’m fine,” he said casually. “I like your dad.”

  “Dating your mother?”

  His jaw tightened. “Is that what they’re doing?”

  She shrugged and opened the front door. “I’m not sure. But I know my dad seems happier these days, so that makes me happy.”

  His mouth curled and he grabbed her hand. “Oh, that’s what’s making you happy?”

  Leah’s belly did a silly flip. Don’t be a fool, he’s flirting, that’s all. “Well, I have to admit the last few days have been unexpectedly...interesting.”

  He hauled her closer, bringing their bodies into contact. “Are we still friends?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’d hate that to change, you know,” he said and cupped her nape, gently anchoring her head. “I’ve never had a friend quite like you.”

  “Me, either,” she admitted.

  He smiled and kissed her hotly, lingering around the edges of her lips as his free hand molded her hip. Leah sighed against his mouth, fighting the inevitable hunger that wound through her blood, and quickly lost the battle. She wasn’t sure how long they stood like that—minutes, probably seconds, but it was her father’s familiar throat-clearing sound that pulled her back. Sean took a few more seconds to register that they had an audience and managed to quickly find a more suitable place for his hands other than her behind.

  “Ah—Gwen is in the kitchen,” Ivan said, looking a little more disapproving than she would have imagined and then put it down to being a typical parent.

  Leah bit down on her reddened bottom lip. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Gwen regarded them even more curiously and didn’t hold back her opinion. “I hope you’re not going to make a mess of this,” she said, looking directly at her son.

  To his credit, Sean didn’t flinch. Leah knew how much love and respect he had for his mother and suspected he’d never show his annoyance. “I’ll do my best not to.”

  Gwen nodded. “Can you come to my place tomorrow morning? I have a couple of pieces of furniture I want to give to Goodwill, and I need some help moving them.”

  “Sorry, Mom, I’m busy tomorrow,” he replied as they sat down at the table. “But I can drop by Wednesday.”

  “Busy?”

  Leah saw his expression sharpen and quickly jumped in. “Ah, we’re heading into Rapid City tomorrow,” she said and then noticed that he looked horrified that she was going to out him. “I left a few boxes of things with my neighbor when I moved from my apartment last month, and Sean promised to help me get them.”

  Gwen accepted her explanation and kept busy making coffee. She and Ivan were quite the pair as they moved around the kitchen, and it made Leah smile. She liked seeing her dad happy, and Gwen was a lovely woman.

  “Sean, cream and sugar?”

  Ivan’s voice was clear and precise, but Sean didn’t respond and Leah saw that he was looking down, clearly immersed in his own thoughts. She tapped his foot with her own under the table and he quickly looked up.

  “What?”

  “Sean,” Gwen said sharply. “What on earth is going on with you these days? It’s like you zone out even when people are trying to talk to you.”

  He got to his feet in a microsecond. “Sorry, Mom, I just have things on my mind. I’ll rain check the coffee.”

  Leah met his gaze and clearly understood the look in his eyes.

  I’ll rain check, us, too...

  He excused himself, leaving the room abruptly—and his mother clearly confused.

  Once the front door opened and closed, Leah looked toward Gwen, and the older woman was regarding her with concern. “Leah, if you know what’s wrong with my son, please tell me.”

  Leah took a breath and stood. “I’m sorry...but I can’t do that.”

  Gwen’s concerned looked amplified. “He’s struggling with something, and I feel so shut out. But he trusts you, and you obviously have become close. Please tell me I’m worrying without cause.”

  “I can’t do that, either.”

  The older woman looked grave. “Is he sick?”

  Leah waved a hand. “Please don’t ask me. I can’t talk about it. But I will speak to him and encourage him to talk to you.”

  Of course she knew that Sean would think that was an intrusion on his privacy, and she certainly didn’t want to be between him and his family, particularly his mother. Gwen was a friend.

  But Sean was so much more.

  Leah headed for her studio and continued sorting through her completed pieces. There were seven large sculptures in total. She knew some of them were her best work, several done in copper and brass. With the selection of pottery pieces and some of her more eclectic metalwork, Leah knew she had enough inventory to have a show. There were even a couple of abstract canvasses she’d done a couple of years earlier.

  She examined the pieces and tried to summon her courage...but truthfully, she was terrified of having another failed show. The last time only a handful of people had turned up, and the caterers were left wrapping uneaten food and beverages. It had been the most humiliating moment of her life, and one she didn’t want to repeat. But if she didn’t have another show, then she’d never know if she had the talent to make it. Her dad and David believed in her. So did Gwen. And Sean believed in her, too.

  Leah grabbed her cell and sent him a message.

  Do you want some company?

  She waited a few minutes for his reply.

  Sure.

  It wasn’t exactly encouraging, but she pushed her cell into her pocket, grabbed her coat and walked to his house. He was waiting on the porch when she arrived, grabbing her hand once she climbed the stairs.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah. I guess.”

  “You upset your mom,” she said bluntly.

  He shrugged. “I wasn’t in the mood to explain myself, particularly in front of other people.”

  Other people...

  He said the words as though she was as unimportant as a mere acquaintance. But then he pulled her close, and her irritation disappeared.

  I’m so predictable.

  “Are you staying tonight?”

  “For a while. I thought we could talk about the showing,” she said and pulled back. “If you have time.”

  “I have time,” he said, looking at her with blistering intensity. “Time is something I have in abundance these days.”

  Ten minutes later, once they were inside and sitting in the living room on opposite ends of the sofa, Leah was convinced that a show was the worst idea of the century.

  “I don’t know who to invite,” she said and sighed.

  “Let’s start with the basics,” he remarked. “Who is your target audience?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know...people who like metal artwork.”

  “What kind of people?” he asked. “You have a great deal of talent, and your pieces are not only thoughtfully designed and clearly a part of you. Let’s use that to our advantage. Think about who you want to see your work.”

  He grabbed his laptop, and they spent the following hour talking about a potential guest list and then going over the pieces she considered to be her best and which ones would be showcased as a priority in the exhibition. He made a few suggestions about her selection and then listened to her protests when he recommended she leave her pottery work for another time.

  “I understand what you’re saying,” he said quietly, pushing the laptop aside. “What I’m suggesting is that you don’t want to send a mixed message. Imagine if your favorite country singer suddenly recorded a jazz song. Confusing, right? And when you’re developing your craft, when you’re trying to get an audience, you want to give that audience what they expect.”

  “But my pottery pieces are part of my craft,” she insisted. “An important part.”

  “And yet not the centerpiece,” he remarked. “Not like your metalwork, particularly since you now have a significant sample of that in the hotel foyer. Your metalwork and your paintings—they should be what you showcase this time. Sometimes, more is simply more.”

  Leah was about to protest again, but bit the words back. “I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” she said.

  His gaze narrowed. “Because you’re scared of failure?”

  She nodded. “Of course I’m scared. I’m terrified. What if no one turns up? What if I’m left humiliated and embarrassed and left with nowhere to hide?”

  Sean grabbed her hand. “Leah, people will come,” he insisted. “And you do incredible work so you won’t be humiliated or embarrassed. And,” he added, gently squeezing her hand, “if you need somewhere to hide, you can hide behind me.”

  It was a nice idea, but Leah wasn’t about to read too much into his words. He was being kind, and for some reason of his own, he wanted to help her. “I know you’re trying to help, but if the same thing happens as last time, I think it will make me quit pursuing art forever.”

  He didn’t release her. “Trust me, okay?”

  Her eyes widened. She knew why she was resistant to go with his judgment...trust. For a long time she’d talked herself out of trusting anyone. It was safer to hold on to her mistrust and wrap it around herself like a cloak than to let someone in. And her feelings were now made even more complicated because of their current relationship.

  “You know I want to but—”

  “You said you only trust two men,” he said, finishing the sentence for her. “Your dad and your brother. But I’m not saying this stuff to deceive you, Leah. I’m not saying this because I have some secret agenda. I’m not about to steal from you or mislead you. I want to help you succeed. Frankly, if you can’t trust me, then we should forget this idea.”

  She sucked in a breath. “I do trust you,” she admitted. “I mean, I wouldn’t have...you know...” Her words trailed off and she colored hotly.

  “I’m not sure having sex with someone and trusting them go hand in hand.”

  “For me, it does,” she said and pulled away, getting to her feet. “Perhaps I’m not as accustomed to casual sex as you are? Because that’s what we’re doing, right?”

  He looked at her, his gaze penetrating and then suddenly impatient. “Are we about to have an argument?”

  “I think so.”

  Sean sighed heavily and stood. “Okay, let me have it. You obviously have something on your mind, so I’d rather we lay it out.”

  “I don’t,” she retorted, crossing her arms. “It’s just that sometimes you just...” She paused deliberately. “Well, you just think like a guy.”

  He didn’t flinch. Didn’t react. He looked mildly amused, if anything. After a moment he moved around the sofa. “Are you staying for dinner?”

  “No,” she replied, arms still crossed, chin high, because she knew dinner was code for sex. “I’ll see you tomorrow, if you still want me to come with you.”

  His expression hardened a little, and then he shrugged. “Sure. I’ll pick you up at ten.”

  Leah left quickly, her heart aching so much she had to hold a hand to her chest to ease the pain. He really was unbearable sometimes. Sure, he was helping her with the showing, but she suspected he simply wanted something to fill his time, to take his mind off his own troubles and maybe she was his pet project.

  Well, fine. If he wanted to help her, she’d jump on board. She’d wanted to have a successful career, and Sean knew all about having one of those. She’d be a fool to refuse his help and not listen to his expertise. That decision helped her make another one—she wasn’t going to sleep with him again. She knew her odds of falling in love with him amplified now that they had made love. Not that it was making love. He kept calling it sex and she needed to do the same.

  She absolutely wasn’t going to get her heart broken.

  Not again.

  Chapter Nine

  When his car pulled into her driveway Tuesday morning, Leah had had plenty of time to galvanize her resolve and convince herself she was doing the smart thing by ending things with Sean. Not their friendship, because that wasn’t likely to leave her emotionally bruised. But being lovers was out of the question. There was no romantic happily-ever-after on the horizon, and she’d realized that was exactly what she wanted. She didn’t want a casual sexual relationship with anyone...least of all a man who she had developed feelings for. It was better this way. Just friends. Friends she could handle. Friends wouldn’t break her heart.

  “Hi,” she said as she got into his car, looking directly at him. “It’s a beautiful morning.”

  That was true. The sky was clear, crystalline blue and the mountains had never looked greener. Leah loved South Dakota in the fall and would never want to call anywhere else home. Not like Sean, of course, who she suspected still pined for the warmth of California and its golden beaches.

  “Yes, pretty perfect.”

  “I thought we might check out a couple of the art galleries in Rapid City while we’re there, if that’s okay?”

  He nodded and turned out of the driveway. “No problem.”

  She made some idle small talk at the start of the forty-minute drive to Rapid City, but by the end of the trip she was content to be quiet and look out the window. Leah had worked in the town for a couple of years and had mostly enjoyed her time there, however she was glad to be back home in Cedar River for the foreseeable future.

  Sean easily navigated his way through the streets and pulled into a parking space outside a private specialist medical practice. Once inside they took the elevator to the third floor and to the audiologist. A few people were seated in the waiting area, and Leah stood back while Sean spoke to the receptionist. Once they were seated she looked around, noticing a young mother sitting a few seats away. She had two sons, one of whom wore a pair of hearing aids. Leah smiled at the woman, who returned the gesture. An elderly couple sat opposite them, and Leah smiled in their direction too. Sean, she noticed, wasn’t smiling. He looked positively pensive, his jaw set tightly, his mouth a grim line. She fought the urge to hold his hand. Did friends hold hands? For whatever reason, he’d invited her, so that gave her some privilege. She patted his arm reassuringly and then noticed him shift uncomfortably in his chair. He hated sympathy. And pity. And reassurance of any kind, because he believed that made him weak. Stupid man.

  He was called up a few minutes later, and Leah remained where she was as he was ushered down the hall and into another room. Leah busied herself chatting to the young mother for a while, until she and her children were called up for their appointment. After that she flipped through magazines and then looked at her social media on her cell when the receptionist came toward her.

  “Your husband has finished his testing and is now in room 4,” the woman said and smiled. “You can join him there.”

  “Oh, he’s not my...” Her words trailed off and she waved a hand. Maybe they wouldn’t allow her in if they thought she wasn’t his wife? That was a chance she wasn’t about to take. “Thank you.”

  Leah got to her feet and walked down the corridor, quickly finding room 4. She opened the door and immediately spotted Sean sitting on a chair in front of a desk, his hand clenched in his lap, his back straight and tight.

  She stood beside the vacant chair near him. “The receptionist said I could come in here,” she explained. “Is that okay with you?”

  He nodded. “Sure.”

  “How was the testing?” she asked.

  “I guess I’ll find out soon enough,” he replied. “The test itself was the same as the last one I had—a soundproof room, a headset and negotiating my way through a series of beeps, and then they read words to you while covering their mouth.”

  The door opened and a tall, striking man appeared. “Good morning, I’m Dr. Gao.”

  For the next few minutes, the doctor explained the results of Sean’s test and compared it to the same test he’d had in Los Angeles. It wasn’t great news. There was significant deterioration, and the long-term prognosis was that it would continue to get worse over time.

  “I can prescribe and fit hearing aids now,” the doctor suggested. “It’s your decision.”

  “No,” Sean said. “Not yet.”

  Dr. Gao’s face creased with a frown and he glanced toward Leah, his expression softening. “Perhaps you would like to discuss it together and alone.”

  “Oh,” Leah said quickly. “We’re not a couple,” she said and then foolishly felt her face grow hotter. “I mean...we’re...”

  Sean grasped her hand and linked their fingers. “We don’t need to explain anything,” he said and got to his feet, dragging Leah with him. “Thank you. I’ll be in touch when I feel it’s necessary.”

  “You know, the devices are small and discreet,” Dr. Gao said and nodded. “And barely noticeable. But they will make a significant difference to your hearing.”

  “I’m sure they will,” Sean replied, still holding her hand in a firm grip. “I’ll let you know.”

  “And I’ll have reception make a follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks,” the other man said.

  Once they were out of the office and striding down the corridor, he finally released her hand. By the time they got to his car, Leah knew he was pissed.

  “Something wrong?” she asked.

  He glared at her. “You know, I didn’t ask you along today so you could flirt with the doctor.”

  Leah laughed. He actually sounded jealous. “I didn’t lie. We’re not a couple.”

  “I know that,” he said shortly and opened the door for her. “You made that abundantly clear when you took off Sunday afternoon.”

  Leah stared at him and longed to mutter something coarse under her breath, but didn’t want to appear mean and say things she knew he wouldn’t be able to hear. “You set the rules, Sean, remember? You said you weren’t looking for anything serious and that we were just going to sleep together and be friends with benefits.”