She wasn't usually a pacer. Now she went between pacing and drumming her fingers against the counter while she waited—all the while asking herself the same questions.
Would he meet with her if there was no chance of them getting back together? Was he coming up just to hear her say she'd been wrong? Some people would do that. When she finished, would he turn around and leave?
Lost in thought, Tory jumped half a mile when the doorbell rang.
This is it.
“Hey, come in.” Her initial instinct was to put her arms around him, but she'd lost that right Saturday night. So instead, she clasped her hands behind her back and watched him close the door behind him. “Can I get you anything?”
“All set. We were eating breakfast when you texted me.”
She should've waited longer. “Are Alec and Gianna spending the weekend?”
“Yeah, they got here last night. We were playing poker with Matt when you texted me yesterday. That’s why I didn’t see it until later.”
Well, at least he hadn't been with someone else. “That's okay. I, uh, let's sit down.”
He didn't touch her as he followed her, but her body prickled at his proximity as it remembered waking up next to him last weekend. Now, if she turned, she could press her body to his and slip her fingers through his hair while kissing him.
Focus on one thing at a time. Before Tory did anything, she needed to clear the air between them. And even though sitting next to Duncan was detrimental to her concentration, she joined him on the sofa.
“I'm sorry, Duncan.” She hadn't rehearsed what she'd say, but it never hurt to start with an apology when you made a mistake, especially one as colossal as hers. “I let what Grant said to me get into my head last weekend. It shouldn't have happened, but it did.”
“Why would you listen to anything he says?” Duncan asked, his expression unreadable, but at least he was talking to her. “The man is only after what is best for him.”
Tory rubbed her palms against her thighs. “I didn't at first. But then I found out about your sister wanting to go into politics and saw you talking to Brett all day.” She dragged her teeth across her bottom lip, well aware of how stupid she'd been. “Everything snowballed from there. Both Grant and Luke, my ex-fiancé, wanted to be with me because it benefited them. And I lumped you in with them, which I shouldn’t have done. It wasn't fair to you, and if I could go back in time and change things, I would.” Especially the part about ever getting involved with Grant or Luke.
Leaning forward, Duncan rested his forearms on his thighs. “There are a lot of people in the world like Grant. I’ve dealt with a few too. But there are a lot more who aren’t like them. You cannot assume everyone wants to use you because of two jerks.”
She’d apologized, and he hadn’t pulled her close and kissed her. He also hadn’t walked out either.
“Rationally, I know that. But, emotionally, well, it can be tricky, Duncan.”
“Understandable.” Duncan wrapped a finger around her pinkie. “So, where does that leave us?”
He used the word “us.” That has to be a good sign, right?
“I'd like things to return to the way they were before last Saturday night. But I understand if that's not possible. Things between us moved fast.” In a month, they'd gone from mere acquaintances to lovers. “If you want to start over and go slow, we can. And if you want nothing else to do with me, I'll respect that too.”
A lump formed in her throat at the thought of Duncan leaving her life for good. And while it would hurt like hell, she'd respect his decision because she’d brought the whole crappy situation on herself.
“I would've already left if that was what I wanted.” He moved closer and laced his fingers through hers. “But I need you to trust me. If we're going to work, I need you to say something if you're having doubts, so we can talk about it before things snowball as they did.”
After this weekend, she didn't see Grant's comments or her insecurities affecting their relationship again. “I can do that.” Placing her palm on his cheek, she lowered her mouth to his. “I've missed you so much this week.”
Tory hoped her lips conveyed the thoughts going through her head. She would not assume that was the case. Ending the kiss, she rested her forehead against his.
“I love you.”
Duncan pulled back and met her eyes, the smile on his face telling her everything she needed to know. Even though she'd been an idiot, he loved her too.
“I'm glad we're on the same page.”
* * *
Duncan puthis arm around Tory when she sat down again and pressed play on the remote control. On the television, Indiana Jones waded through rats under the city of Venice in search of a medieval knight's burial site.
Rather than deal with the crummy weather, the four of them had decided to spend the evening at home. Unable to agree on a new movie, they'd turned to his classic collection. The first three movies in the Indiana Jones series were the only ones that earned everyone's vote. They had already finished the first two and were onIndiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Although his favorite, Duncan wasn’t paying attention to the movie. Instead, he was thinking about his and Tory’s conversation earlier, especially the part about her ex-fiancé. Surprise had been the first emotion he’d experienced when he’d learned she’d been engaged a few years ago. Anger had replaced it when he’d learned what an ass the guy had turned out to be. After meeting Grant and hearing about Luke, he now had a better understanding of where Tory’s insecurities had come from.