Healing Inc. Read Online Free PDF Page A

gone by so quickly he hadn’t noticed that the light of day no longer flowed in through the shop windows.  He sensed that his question had altered her mood and felt bad about it.  He acknowledged that she had demons to fight, big ones it sounded like and suddenly wished for more time to help her slay them.  An impulsive urge to protect her came over him accompanied by the thought of this possibly being their last encounter.  At first, he had thought it was because he was lonely with Cecile leaving home that made him want to stay.  Now he knew it was because he wanted to be around her.
     
    “Might I interest you in joining me for dinner some time?”  It had been a while since he had dated.  That had been by choice.
     
    Evy thought for a moment.  She had enjoyed his company, yes, but was she ready to head down that road with him?  Nita had tried to set her up with one of her brothers but it had been more like dating her own brother, not to mention those boys were a little rough around the edges.  This could be different.  He was just asking for dinner, right?  What if he was one of those guys who just wanted a small taste of her after seeing her perform? She pondered all the issues that she had experienced with David.  This was the anniversary of having met David.  She allowed this last bit of processed information to be her deciding factor. 
     
    “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”  The look on his face spoke volumes.  She could tell he wasn’t a man that people said no to very often, yet she had done so and on a personal level.
     
    “No?” he shouted in disbelief.  “After the day we had together you’re saying no!”  He couldn’t help but be a little agitated, not to mention utterly confused.  He thought she had enjoyed being around him as much as he had enjoyed her.
     
    “I’m sorry, Tyler,” she started in her softest tone.  “I don’t think I’m ready to head down that road just yet.  I don’t think being in a relationship with me would be fair to anyone right now and I’ve never been one for casual dating.”
     
    “I didn’t ask for a relationship,” Although that’s exactly what he wanted, “and I don’t partake in frivolous encounters either.  I just want to have dinner with you.”
     
     “Dinner?  Just dinner?”  She stood with her hands on her hips.  “You really just want to sit, eat and talk together like we just did?”  Technically she was right.  They had had dinner together.
     
    He knew his mulish streak was kicking in but, try as he might, he could not control it.  The right thing to do would be a gentleman and respect her answer, but he just couldn’t do that.  Then something occurred to him.  “Are you declining my invitation because I’m white?”
     
    “Really?  You are?” she joked.  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”  The racial difference actually hadn’t come to mind before he mentioned it.  She had never seen herself with anyone other than David but that was only due to him ruining her for anybody else.  The impasse made them pause and stare at each other, neither of them backing down.
     
    “We are going to have dinner, Evy,” he declared, ending the stalemate.  His face was turning red as he fought to control his temper.  He knew she was right about having eaten together but no way in hell was he going to admit to it.
     
    She looked at him incredulous.  Well, well, well the arrogant asshole does exist .  “Tyler,” she started as calmly as she could, hiding her thoughts from him. “You’re a really nice guy and I’m glad that you came by today, but you can’t force me to have dinner with you”.
     
    “Oh, it won’t be forced.”  He replied, eyes wide with resolve, his head bobbing up and down slowly.  A devious smirk slowly traversed his face sending a slight chill up Evy’s spine.
     
    Evy wasn’t sure what to make of all of this.  One thing was for sure; her stubborn side wasn’t going to