I crossed my arms, glaring at him in disbelief. “You were going to have me arrested?”
Cowboy closed his eyes and let out a hard breath. When he opened them, the anger I’d seen in them was gone and only softness and sincerity remained. “No, I was just going to have him…talk to you, I guess. I thought maybe if it was somebody besides me asking the questions, you would—”
“What? Tell the truth? Because you still think I’m lying to you, right?” As he opened his mouth to speak, I knew an apology loomed on the tip of his tongue. But it was one I didn’t want to hear. His fury may have dissipated, but mine had just kicked into high gear. I shook my head and pulled the jacket from around my shoulders, shoving it into his chest. “Here. I guess it’s safe to say that I can go now.”
He took the jacket and reached for my hand. “Anna, wait…”
“Just leave me alone,” I said, walking quickly away from him.
Chapter Five
“Got my book?”
I’d seen Cowboy come through the library doors, but had refused to allow myself to acknowledge him until he spoke first. Even then, I only reached beneath the desk and handed him the book with the red spine.
“Guess you’re still mad,” he said.
I continued ignoring him.
He braced his hands on the counter. “Are you going to at least let me apologize for last night?”
“No.” I grabbed a couple of returned books I’d already scanned back into the system, rose and headed for the far aisles, away from prying eyes and bent ears.
He followed behind me, not giving up. “I talked to Bobbie Jo.”
“Good for you.”
“She vouched for you, so I’m letting it go…this time. I closed the report on the dumpster fire and chalked it up to an accident. She trusts you.” His tone sounded almost angry about it.
I kept walking, but glanced over my shoulder at him, noting his questioning eyes and the way he held his mouth in a flat, grim line. Suspicion and mistrust lit up his perfect face like a flashing neon sign. “Yet you still don’t.”
He didn’t even bother denying it. “Do you blame me? You avoid my questions every chance you get, and you won’t stay in one place long enough for me to have a decent conversation with you.” When I walked faster hoping to get out of everyone’s earshot before he spoke another word, he said, “Damn it, Anna. Why are you always running from me?”
“I’m not. I’m—”
“Afraid I’m going to ask you out?” he asked, as if he were finishing my sentence.
My heart skipped a beat, but I pretended to be unfazed. I stepped inside an alcove and placed one of the books on the shelf where it belonged. “Don’t be absurd,” I said, lowering my voice.
“So it’s okay for me to ask you out, then?”
“What? No, I…I didn’t say that. Don’t put words in my mouth.” I marched down the aisle with him hot on my trail. “You’re not asking me out.”
“Why not? Since I closed the report, there’s nothing stopping me from doing so.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
He groaned. “What the hell is your problem with me?”
I stopped and turned to face him, lifting my brows. “You really have to ask that?” Then I moved further down the aisle.
“I’m trying to apologize for last night,” he said from behind me. “If you would just stand still long enough…” He grasped my shoulders and turned me to face him. “Look, I’m sorry. I was wrong, okay?”
“Fine. Apology accepted.” I spun away from him and scanned the shelves. When I found the spot I was looking for, I slid the book back into its rightful place. I pivoted and walked toward him, then passed right by him on my way back to the circulation desk.
“That’s it?” Cowboy asked.
I paused and looked back, shrugging nonchalantly. “What more is there?”
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
My stomach fluttered and I smiled, but didn’t hesitate with my answer. “No, thank you.”
He sighed. “Why? Because of last night?”