“You’re right.” I shook my head, embarrassed at how selfishly I’d been looking at things. I wasn’t the kind of man Britt needed. She deserved someone who could put her first, who would be there for her no matter what. Not someone who spent seventy-five percent of his time on the road. Someone who couldn’t add one more responsibility to his plate.
“Hey, I’m sure you’re a great guy.” Abby gave me a sympathetic smile. “You’re just not going to be able to be here for her, you know what I mean?”
I slipped the apron off over my head. “Yeah, I get it. I should head out. I’ll just go say goodbye and get out of your way.”
“Say goodbye to who?” Britt held a tray of honey buns in her hands. “I thought your bus didn’t leave until ten?”
“I’ve got to return the car and make sure we got everything out of the concert venue from last night.”
“Oh.” She slid the tray into the case.
“I’m going to grab the rest of the donuts.” Abby gestured to the kitchen before disappearing through the swinging door.
I moved closer to Britt and caught her hands in mine. “I had a really good time last night. If you ever find yourself in Nashville...”
“Not likely. But hey, if you ever find yourself back in Silver Creek...”
My chest squeezed tight at the look in her eyes. A hint of vulnerability mixed with steely resolve. Every part of me knew she was the one for me.
But I wasn’t the one for her.
Not unless I could figure out a way to take on a relationship while keeping my commitment to the band and to Liam.
“Take care, Britt.” I leaned in, drawing in a breath of the sweet scent of cinnamon, honey, and sugar. Touching my lips to hers, I tried to bottle it up so I could save it for one of those long, lonely days on the road.
Then I let her hands fall from mine and backed toward the door.
10
BRITT
Shane had been gone for two weeks, and I couldn’t get him out of my mind. Every time the bell over the door rang, I looked up hoping I’d see his sexy-as-hell smile.
“Another day for the record books.” Abby came out from the kitchen and stood in front of the register. “You’ve got to be feeling great about that.”
“I feel like shit.” I ran a rag over the counter and swept up any remaining crumbs.
She cocked her hip. “Are you still hung up on Shane?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but whatever it is, it’s all your fault.” She could tell I wasn’t really mad at her, just upset about my no-win situation. “I never should have hooked up with him.”
“How is you having the best sex of your life a negative thing?” Abby shoved the cash from the register into a bank bag while she shook her head at me.
“Because now I know it’s out there.” I huffed out a breath, more frustrated with myself than Abby. “Before Shane I was fine with adequate sex and having low expectations from the guys I dated.”
“Now you know what’s possible. That’s a good thing.” Abby tugged the zipper closed. “You won’t be willing to settle next time you meet someone who sweeps you off your feet.”
“That’s just it. No one’s ever swept me off my feet like he did. Do you think it’s because I know he’s unattainable that makes him that much more attractive?” I’d been arguing with myself for days. Did Shane look so good to me because my last boyfriend was such a douche bag? Or was he really everything I’d always wanted wrapped up in the perfect package?
“I don’t know.” Abby turned to study me, her gaze drilling into mine. “Didn’t you guys just have sex?”
“Well, yeah. But we also talked. There’s so much more to him than what you see on the stage.” I balled up the rag in my hand while I pictured the way Shane’s eyes had lit up when he talked about his foster family and his son.
“So, um, I might have made a mistake.”
“What do you mean? Is the cash count off?”
“Not with the receipts, with your rebound man.” Abby rolled her eyes.