Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories (The Flirts! Collection) by Lisa Scott Page A

us.”
    “Besides bed,” I joked. But he didn’t laugh.
    He pulled out of the parking lot and looked out the window. “I’m gonna get you home. I don’t usually go on forty-five-hour dates. Winston won’t talk to me for a week.”
    “Has it been forty-five hours?”
    “I’ve been keeping track.”
    I pouted. “I wish you’d stay over again.”
    “Any longer than two days and Winston becomes part of the deal.”
    I shrugged. “That wouldn’t be a problem.  He’s a great dog.”
    He looked over at me for a long moment as we drove along. “Kristen, I’ve had an amazing weekend with you. But I am what I am. That’s not going to change. A few days with me might be amusing, but I’m not long-term material. Won’t be for a long time.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    He slammed one hand on the steering wheel. “I can’t offer you anything.”
    I sighed. “Would you stop listening to whatever crap your parents told you? You aren’t your criminal record. You’re Tony. A funny, kind, and brave guy. And I really, really like you.” I wouldn’t be able to explain how I knew that so soon, but I knew. I felt safe with him. And not just safe from bad guys lurking in the shadows, but safe to be myself.
    He shook his head. “I can’t take care of you.”
    I pressed my hand against my chest. “I don’t need someone to take care of me. I want just someone to care about me, and not consider how I’m going to look on their life resume, or propped up in their fancy home.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I don’t want you to leave. Please. Let’s stop and get Winston and bring him home.” I pressed my eyes shut, afraid I’d see him shaking his head no.
    He pulled into my driveway and got out to open my door. He hugged me and kissed my head as I sat in the seat. “This was a great weekend, but it’s time to go back to the real world. And in that world? We don’t belong together.”
    Swallowing back a sob, I crossed my arms. “Were you just using me?” But the words sounded stupid coming out of my mouth. I knew I’d meant to something to him. But he couldn’t get over his past. And that wasn’t something I could change.
    He walked me to my door and squeezed my hand. The he stepped out into the night. I said nothing. I refused to say goodbye.

    Tony didn’t call. Two days passed and I drove by the shopping plaza, but they’d finished the roof and moved on to another job.
    Just like he’d moved on from me.
    I parked in the lot and cried. We’d had such a fast, strong connection, but he couldn’t get beyond his past. For once I knew—knew in my heart was in love—and I couldn’t have him. Was I cursed? I get the ones I don’t want, but can’t have the one man I do?
    My mother and sister called and tried to sound sympathetic over news of the crash-and-burn relationship, but I’m sure they were thrilled I wasn’t with him anymore. An ex-convict in the family would be about as welcome as a tick on one of Mom’s prize-winning Yorkies.
    “Honey, you need to get out and have some fun,” my mother said over the phone. “Daddy’s company gets tickets for the Children’s Hospital Charity Ball every year, but he can’t make it this time. Come with me. We’ll go shopping and get you a new dress. Then we’ll get our hair and nails done. It’ll be a hoot.”
    I didn’t answer.
    “Please? I really need to go for your father, and I won’t go alone.”
    She knew she had me. I rarely disappointed my father. “Fine. We’ll go.”

    We went shopping and I let her pick out my dress. She surprised me by choosing a lovely cream cocktail dress for me that fit like it was made for me.
    “Hey, after three wedding gowns, I know what looks good on you.”
    I pretended to be hurt, but it was the first time she’d joked about my string of engagements.
    Work was slow the rest of the week, and I only had a few houses to show. The Victorian was turning out to be a tough sell, despite how gorgeous it was. It was