Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [123]
He didn't answer right away, and each passing second made her more anxious.
"I think you're on the right track, Lizzie," he said at last, his scowl replaced by the warm smile she loved so much.
"Really?" She felt so relieved. "That means a lot to me. You're important to me, Michael. Not just because of what you were to Julia. I thought we were friends, too."
"We are friends." He patted her on the shoulder. "Don't ever think we're not."
"I won't. How's the house coming along?"
"It's not. I haven't felt like working on it since-"
"But you have to finish it. It's your house. It's your dream."
"A dream is something you share with someone."
"I don't believe that," she said with a toss of her head. "A dream is personal. That house means something to you. I should know. I saw the way you lovingly caressed the walls."
"I didn't do that."
She grinned. "You were close. Anyway, want some help? I have some free time tonight. I can scrape wallpaper, paint, or do whatever you need."
"That's a nice offer, but-"
She cut him off. "I'd really like to help, and if you're smart, you won't turn me down."
"I don't even know if I'm going to keep the house. It's too big for a single guy. Unless you think Julia will change her mind?"
Liz wished she could give him a different answer, but she couldn't. "I'm sorry, but I don't. I think Julia has a lot of plans that don't include you. She's on a quest to change her life. She's like a bird sprung from a cage, and she wants to fly everywhere, see everything."
"You're right. I've been thinking a lot about the relationship we had. Julia started pulling away from me the day of your mother's funeral. I was just hanging on so tight she couldn't get loose." He dug his hands into his pockets and walked to the side of the boat, staring out at the bay. "If it hadn't been this search of hers, it would have been something else that broke us up. I was just so ready to get married. I couldn't see that she wasn't."
Liz didn't say anything. Michael was lost in his thoughts, and she didn't want to intrude. Getting over Julia would be difficult for him, but she believed now that they would both find a better future on their own.
"I never should have bought that house without talking to her," Michael added. "I told my sister about it, and she said she couldn't believe I'd made such a bonehead move. Apparently it's not romantic to surprise a woman with a house."
"I think it's really romantic. If it had been me, I would have been very happy, but that's just me. I still think you should finish remodeling it. It's a great place, and you love it. Someday you'll find a woman who loves it, too. Then it will be ready."
Michael turned back to her. "Maybe I'll paint the back bedroom today. If you want to help, I won't say no."
"I'm your girl," she said, "as long as you buy me a pizza. I'm starving."
"Okay, but we're getting plain cheese pizza. I hate all that fancy-" Michael stopped. "Do you know that guy?" he asked, tipping his head toward a man on the pier. "He's been staring at you since you got here."
As Liz turned her head, the man pulled his baseball cap down over his eyes and walked away. "I don't know him." She licked her lips, feeling a little nervous. "I hope he's not the man who broke into our apartment. Julia said he was following her around. What if he's following me now?"
"The police haven't found out who ransacked your place?"
"No. I'm scared, Michael."
He stepped closer to her, putting his arm about her shoulders. "Don't worry. I'm here. I'll take care of you."
"Thanks."
"I hope Julia has someone watching her back."
Liz had a feeling that someone's name was Alex.
"It's me," Alex said as he knocked on the hotel room door, his laptop under his arm.
Julia flung the door open, her