He sighed. “My woman. My lady. I cannot get her to give me day time.”
“Um, the time of day?”
He nodded. “Yah. That. We have dinner, we talk, I make sure she is safe. She smiles, she laughs—” he sighed again “—but no more. No kisses, no love. I thought maybe I am too ugly.”
“You are anything but ugly, Egan. This is Sofia, right? Damien’s cousin?”
“Yes.” He put his hand on his chest. “My heart.”
“Have you told her?” I asked.
“In words, no. I try to show her. I know she is worried because of my job. She avoids personal—” he waved his hand “—situations with me.”
“Sounds as if she is worried about what she feels for you, Egan. Maybe she worries about losing you because of what you do. If she admits she cares, it makes it scary. You need to be honest with her. Tell her.”
“And if she walks away?”
“Then you have to accept and move on.”
He blew out a long breath. “Yah.”
He went back to his sketchbook, a frown marring his features.
“Sometimes love is worth the risk,” I said quietly.
He looked up, silent, then smiled. “She is. I will tell her.”
“I hope she responds the way you want.”
He lifted a shoulder. “One way to skin a cat.”
I laughed. “No, the expression is there is more than one way to skin a cat. But I think you meant only one way to find out.”
He smiled. “I like cats—and I will tell her.”
“Good.”
My buzzer went, and he grinned. “Perfect timing.”
“Who is it?”
“Pizza.”
“I didn’t order pizza.”
He winked. “I did.”
He went to the door, hitting the enter button. In the kitchen, I got some plates from the cupboard and took them to the table. A moment later, I heard footsteps, and a delivery man walked in, his hat pulled low.
I felt a frisson of nerves until he lifted his head and I was met with warm blue eyes.
“Pizza,” Damien said with a wink. “Hot and ready.”
* * *
Damien handed me the pizza box, which I slid onto the table. He shrugged off the jacket and hat, handing them to Egan, who slipped them on. I noticed they both wore jeans and dark sneakers.
“Thanks.”