title: Standing on the Edge of Goodbye
author: Eason, Mary
description: Kate forgot all about the cars when he pushed away from the door and came to her. “Trust me. I do want us to be friends.” His expression said what his words had not. She swallowed hard and tried to keep her thoughts in focus. “I’m sorry. I really don’t mean to be so difficult—” “You’re not. It’s not you. I can’t seem to say what I mean anymore.” Matt shook his head. “What are you doing later today? Because I have an idea." Her mind went blank. She couldn't think of a single reason not to see him later except for her own reaction to being close to him. He read her lack of answer for a yes. "Good. Then why don’t we go somewhere quiet and we’ll just talk. Just the two of us without anyone watching everything we do.” It sounded good. Too good. It sounded dangerous. “You can tell me anything you'd like, ask me anything and I’ll do my best to be honest with you. Some things are hard to talk about, I won't deny. But then, I think there are some things that you find difficult to talk about as well.” He reached up to tuck one of her curls behind her ear. His sweet, charming, completely unstaged honesty made her see beyond the wounded person he was to the man he’d once been. Husband, father. Creative, intelligent, and one very handsome man. She closed her eyes, her breath labored as she struggled with her heart. When she opened her eyes again he was still there. His hand still touched her hair. He stroked it as he watched her expression. She hadn't realized how startling his blue eyes were, or how his dark brown hair held touches of gold. She hadn't noticed a lot of things about Matt until now. Remember Josh. She looked away from those beautiful blue eyes that watched her too closely. Remember how nice Josh seemed at first. “Kate?” Her name sounded like a whisper. “Will you do that? Will you try?” Slowly she nodded. She wondered how they must appear, standing mere inches apart, looking at each other like they’d just realized the worth of the other person. The tip of her tongue glided over her dry lips. He followed the movement, making her feel shaky from emotions she’d almost forgotten existed. His finger trailed down to her cheek to rest against the frantic beating pulse of her throat. Kate responded to his gentle pressure that moved her closer to him. He was so close that she could see the uncertainty in his gaze. He wanted to kiss her. And she wanted that more than anything else in the world. “Matt, are you still in there?” Denny sounded close, just outside the barn, an unwelcome intrusion into their intimacy. Matt reacted first. His hand drop away. His smile held as much regret as Kate felt. “Probably for the best, don’t you think?” he said softly as he bent to kiss her cheek.