Sallinger, Elene: Reflection (The Chrysalis Series)

His grandparents had loved him. So had his parents. Connor could honestly say he’d never been without love growing up. But when his grandpa had come down with lung cancer, the brunt of the responsibility had fallen to Connor. His grandmother simply hadn’t been capable since senility had already burrowed in like a tick. Her moments of lucidity were too few and far between for her to be a reliable caretaker. So, Connor had done the only thing he could. He’d become a man at 14. He’d stepped in and filled the void as best he could.

Then, he’d buried them both when he was 16.

His chest clenched even now in grief. He’d loved them as much as they’d loved him. When his parents had died, they’d welcomed him with open arms. They’d kept his parents’ memories alive and had encouraged him to be whatever he wanted to be. Some days, he wondered if they’d be disappointed with how he’d turned out.

He had a small sum of money put away; the little bit that was left after selling his grandparents’ house. It was the only thing of value they had to leave him, but he hadn’t wanted to go back there. After his two year stint in the foster system, he’d just wanted to get the hell away from Maryland. The neighbourhood the house was in had gone downhill and he’d had enough of depressing, rundown neighbourhoods. He’d sold everything, banked the money, and made his way north before finally settling in Vermont.

The decision to stay in River Rock had been a complete fluke. He’d landed in town because a photographer he admired was having a show and giving a lecture at the university and he’d wanted to sit in on it. It had been the height of spring when the foliage was new and the flowers were in bloom. After leaving the bus station, he’d walked for a bit to stretch his legs and had come to the main street. It had endeared him immediately to the town. Appearing straight out of a storybook with its simulated gas lamps, and flower boxes, it had vintage-style shops owned by real people not corporate giants. He’d been captivated.

The university had sealed the deal, though. When he’d walked the quad to get to the lecture, he’d barely been able to go two steps without finding something to capture his imagination. He almost missed the lecture because he’d been so caught up drawing and taking photos.

Simple as that, he’d decided to stay. Fortunately for him, the custodial position had been available and he’d found a place to live within a week of landing in town. That had been five years ago and he’d never regretted it.

Another glance at his watch said it was now 1.20. It was time to throw in the towel. If she thought he hadn’t been serious about his threat to haunt all her known spots until he ran into her, she’d been mistaken. He was determined to get to know Ms Bridget Ross and he sensed she wanted to get to know him too. She was blocking him for some reason and he wanted to know why.

With a deep sigh, he reached for his pack to throw on his shoulder. He would go in and see if Mona had a use for any of the food he’d packed.

‘That’s a real deep frown you’re sportin’, sugar.’ Bridget’s caramel-coated voice broke into his thoughts. ‘Aren’t you happy to see me?’

His head snapped up and a grin broke out across his face.

‘I didn’t think you were coming,’ he replied.

She looked amazing. He didn’t know how she did it, but she made even the conservative button-down sleeveless shirt and cropped pants she wore look like the sexiest clothing on the planet. The deep green of the shirt set off her eyes and hair and the simple khaki capris hugged her full hips and displayed her delicate ankles in a way that made them erotic to him. Her sandals were strappy and showed off perfectly pedicured toes. She looked delicious.

‘I almost didn’t,’ she replied seriously, then she put her hands on her hips and gave him an exasperated look before saying, ‘but I couldn’t take a chance you were serious about haunting my every move. So, I’m here. But listen up, buddy boy, you better not be some kind of crazed stalker. I’m trained in martial arts and I will kick your ass. Just because I’m small, doesn’t mean I can’t be effective.’

‘Whoa, whoa.’ Connor held up his hands and laughed. He honestly didn’t care if she could kick his ass three ways to Sunday; he was just glad she was there. ‘It’s all good. I swear. I’m not a stalker. I just figured you need a little push to get you to go out with me.’

‘OK, but let’s get one thing straight. No means no with me, got it? I don’t want to be manipulated again. Are we clear?’ Her eyes spit emerald fire at him. She was honestly pissed.

Instantly, Connor was contrite. ‘Bridget, look, I apologise.’ He stepped forward and saw something he didn’t like at all flicker in her gaze, ‘Look, I was teasing. I’ll admit I would have tried to run into you again, but only because I really want to get to know you and I’m incredibly attracted to you. But I swear I’m not a psychopath. If you really don’t want to go out with me, then I promise I’ll leave you alone. Just say the word.’

She considered him for long moment, eying him with scepticism. He could hear his heart in his ears as he waited. This woman got under his skin.

Finally, she sighed and said, ‘OK. I’ll go out with you, but you’re definitely leaving your social security number and driver’s licence info with Mona after that stunt.’

‘Of course.’ He smiled, feeling relief surge through his veins. ‘I’m a man of my word.’

Picking up the basket he’d packed for them, Connor indicated for Bridget to lead the way inside the coffee shop.

She was an idiot.

She’d come to give him a piece of her mind, not to go on the picnic with him. But he’d been so sincere. And he’d been willing to give her the out. Truthfully, she’d believed he was joking all along, but one couldn’t be too sure. Her own past had taught her that trust was something earned, not given. He hadn’t earned it yet regardless of how nice he seemed.

‘I’m an idiot, aren’t I?’ she said to Mona as she sipped the apple cinnamon tea latte she’d ordered. Connor had excused himself to the restroom and she’d taken the opportunity to vent with her friend.

‘For what?’ Mona asked distractedly as she filled cream and sugar dispensers.

‘For going out with this kid,’ Bridget replied as she dropped some discarded sugar packets back into the bowl. ‘I mean, he’s got to be almost ten years younger than me. He practically extorts a date out of me, and then he goes all Boy Scout on me and I cave in.’

Mona stopped what she was doing and looked at Bridget full on. Her brown eyes seemed to pierce Bridget’s green ones.

‘Bridget, let’s be real, OK. You’re avoiding this “kid” – who looks like a full-grown man to me – because of your history and not for any other reason. I’ve seen him regularly since your date.’ She smirked at Bridget’s raised eyebrow over that remark and explained, ‘We chat when he comes in.’ She waved her hand dismissively and moved on. ‘He seems like a good guy to me and, if my observation skills are worth anything, he’s got a serious jones for you. So, he might be a bit over-eager, but you’re only an idiot if you continue to lock yourself in a glasshouse.’

‘What bee is up your petunia?’ Bridget exclaimed, a little shocked at Mona’s out-of-character tirade.

‘Nothing,’ she grumbled, though the way she was working over the counter with the cleaning rag you’d have thought it owed her money. Stopping, she turned once again to Bridget. ‘It’s just that you’ve got a guy you’re clearly attracted to actually attracted to you in return and you’re going to pass up the opportunity to see where it goes. That is what makes you an idiot, not going on this date.’