“What do you mean!” Maggie challenged. The truth stung.

“Oh, don’t be stupid! Honey, you are more than good enough for him. He’s the one who isn’t good enough for you. You know what I mean. You are not the kind of woman who can do a casual affair. It’s not part of your make up. I’m not talking down about women who can do it. But I’ve known you your whole life—you’re not one of them. Your heart and head are too connected. You’re only going to end up hurt because Shane Chase cannot give you what you want and deserve. Listen, it’s still early, I can tell you like him but it’s not that deep yet. But this is a dead end street. Shane Chase is a dead end man. You cannot save him.”

The eyes she turned to Dee made Dee’s heart ache. “I’m fine, Dee. I can handle it, I promise.”

Dee sighed and squeezed her hand. “You know where to find me when you need me.”

Shane knocked on her door precisely at seven and looked delicious as usual. He looked up and back down her body, with a slow sexy smile. “You look gorgeous, Maggie.” He bent down and stole a quick kiss. “Ready?”

“Sure.”

They went to The Sands, just a normal small town diner. She felt so comfortable with him. He was attentive and charming but neither mentioned the incident with Kendra.

“Hey!” She slapped at his hand as he attempted to steal a fry off her plate. “Get your own fries, buster.”

“You won’t share them? Not even with the sheriff?”

“Hell no!” she said, eating the last fry with relish.

He leaned over and placed his mouth over her ear. “Can we go back to your house, Maggie? I’d really like to be alone with you.”

His warm breath on her ear and his confession sent shivers down her spine. “I’d like that.” No sooner had the soft words left her lips than he’d yanked her up, thrown money on the table and they hurried out to his car.

Once they were inside her house and on the couch he looked down at her with a grin. “I’ve wanted this since you spun around and started getting in my face at The Pumphouse that night. And definitely since I had to leave you on your doorstep after the movies.”

Leaning up, she nuzzled his neck. He smelled good, his skin was warm. His head fell back against the couch. She really liked the moan he made when she nibbled his ear lobe and then down to the hollow of his throat.

“But you never noticed me before. Back in high school you dated girls with flashy bodies and perfect clothes.” She looked up at him with a grin.

“I think we established that I was a dumbass. I’m an idiot for not noticing you but your attitude is what turned me on first.” With a low growl, he brought his hands down her back and around to cup her br**sts. Her breath caught as his thumbs moved up to flick over her ni**les.

Her head tipped back for a moment as she enjoyed his touch. After a bit she moved so that she was looking into his eyes again. Slowly, he leaned her back onto the couch, settling himself into the cradle of her thighs.

His lips found the hollow of her throat and she arched, grinding into him.

“God, I love this,” she sighed.

And he froze.

He sat up quickly and reached for his coat. “I have to go. Thanks.” He rushed toward the front door.

“Wait! You’re leaving?” she asked incredulous.

“I have to get to work first thing.” She barely understood his words he said them so fast, not meeting her eyes.

She wished she could crawl into a hole and disappear.

“I’ll call you,” he mumbled as he let himself out.

“Don’t bother, ass**le!” she yelled out but heard the door slam has he scurried out like the rat he was.

Chapter Four

The next night, the three of them sat in their usual booth. “And he left scorch marks in my front hallway he ran out of there so fast!”

Dee and Liv had looked at her, incredulous, as Maggie told them the whole story.

“I didn’t say I loved him, I said I loved it. I mean goodness, we were making out on my couch. It felt good!” She tossed back yet another beer and motioned to Patrick to bring them a fresh pitcher.

“I don’t understand. What an ass.” Liv’s face showed her anger and concern for her friend.

“Me neither but I’m done. What does he think? That he can throw a burger at me and get a cheap silent screw? God, he made me feel so stupid!”

Dee winced as she squeezed Maggie’s hand in sympathy. Both Liv and Dee froze, looking toward the door and Maggie knew that it was Shane. She slowly turned around and saw that he was there with Kendra. Again. This time his arm was around her and she was nuzzling into his neck. He saw her and didn’t even flicker recognition in her direction.

For a moment her mouth hung open and tears stung the back of her eyes. “Don’t!” Liv whispered urgently. “Don’t you let him make you cry, Maggie! He’s not worth your tears.”

She turned to face them. “I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been,” she whispered back and wiped at her eyes. “Okay, I could accept that we weren’t serious. But the way he just ran out like that and just now? My god, he makes me feel like nothing.”

Kyle saw Maggie wipe at her eyes, after she’d stared, hurt and dismayed at Shane. Shane who’d unbelievably looked through her like she didn’t even exist.

Matt and Marc saw it too. “Shane, what the hell is wrong with you? You’re really going to blow something that could be so good because of Sandra?”