If At First

Part 12 - Chapter 11

"Does it have an excellent answer?" I was still baffled.

"Well," He took a step closer, taking in every facet of my face. "If you must know, it would seem that I cannot leave you alone Tabby. It's no longer a matter of will."

I stood there waiting for him to laugh, or shout "gotcha". Instead he remained exactly where he was, and despite the fluttering sensation now overwhelming every internal organ in my body, I endeavored to be rational.

This is just another of his weird quirks, to see how many people he can get to join his fan club. I am nothing more than a convenient diversion.

I couldn't deny, however, that when faced with his magnitude of appeal, I found it difficult to ignore those quirks as the casual annoyance he doubtless meant them to be.

"Why?" My voice was almost hoarse.

"You keep saying that."

"You only have yourself to thank for it."

He paused, examining me briefly and then shook his head as if to clear it. "Because I'm supposed to show you around and introduce you to people." He stepped reluctantly back and sat down again on the rock, raking his fingers through his perfect hair.

"Oh." The fluttering lessened. "Well, you're off the hook then. I won't tell."

"Trying to get rid of me?" He asked. The sudden intensity of his gaze gave me cause to wonder what enticement he must have received to go to such extremes.

"No." I began to wonder if it would take less energy to just play along than to continue keeping him at bay.

"Alright then," He stood up again as if to leave. I almost stopped him before he said, "Look, I don't normally invite myself places, but I did come all the way out here. Would you mind if I joined you?"

"Join me?"

"In your run."

"I usually run alone."

"I could hardly detract from the company then, could I?" He smiled again and my stomach flipped. I reflected how desperately I craved a reprieve from my self-inflicted isolation.

"Is this you trying to make me trust you?"

He had the decency to look slightly abashed. "No, I can see how much I've messed up there."

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to decide how bad an idea it would be to let him come with me. "Um, okay," I answered before deciding, "Sure."

"Don't get too excited."

My smile grew. "I'll try to contain it."

"I love it when you do that."

My cheeks warmed moronically, and he started off in a new direction. It was a steep upward climb on a narrow path that just barely allowed us to run side-by-side. On the left, an imposing jagged wall of rock, and on the right, a couple hundred foot drop to the rough water. Haven purposely positioned himself on the drop-off side. When I looked up at him inquiringly, he answered, "Wouldn't want you to fall."

"What if you fall?" I asked.

"Better me than you."

I considered that, knowing very well my existence would be far less grieved than Haven Casey's. "I'm not so sure." I peered briefly over the edge and cringed a little, thankful for the unanticipated thoughtfulness. I wasn't afraid of heights, I just preferred not to tempt fate.

"Afraid you'd miss me?" He smirked.

I laughed. "Terrified."

We reached the top of the incline where the path widened before he spoke again. "So, are you expecting any more brothers to visit?"