Kitabı oku: «The Wedding Wager», sayfa 7

“It is Mike’s name. My dad paid to get that taken care of by some doctor in Chicago. It may be illegal, but I have a birth certificate claiming Mike as Ethan’s father.”

“Well, we’ll get that straightened out, but the minute word gets out about his tie to me—and you become part of my life again, even if we’re not on the best of terms—you both will be vulnerable. You might as well have a chauffeur—”

She laughed in this first truly humorous moment since Jared came back into her life. “A chauffeur! In Santa Fe!”

He grinned. “I finally got a laugh out of you, and that’s great, Meg. It’s good to hear you laugh again.”

“I’ll become the town oddity.”

“No, you won’t. There are more people chauffeured around Santa Fe than you think. Famous and wealthy people live there. You don’t pay attention to things like that.”

“He’ll want to tell his best friend.”

“Tell away. His friends will meet the guy. Give a thought to schools, too. I can afford whatever you want.”

“I’m not sending my six-year-old away to school. He’s in private school now, and I do schoolwork with him.”

“I can afford tutors, too, if you want them. Same with lessons. I’ll pay for all that. As for the bodyguard, you’ll be on the ranch part of the year, so you’re incredibly vulnerable there because of the isolation. I’ll get someone who’ll be discreet. You should also have a guard on the premises.”

“You’re being generous,” she said. Every suggestion tore at her. Even if it was best for Ethan, it would change his life.

“Now, what can we work out about his visitation?” Jared asked.

She glanced at him. “What about if you get him Saturdays and Sundays and we alternate holidays,” she finally suggested, hating the thought of losing Ethan on weekends. “Though I don’t know how he can play on the soccer team or basketball or baseball or anything else if he goes out of state with you,” she added.

“Of course I don’t want to destroy Ethan getting to play soccer or any other sport. But he’s surely not into all those yet.”

“No, but he will be soon. He played soccer and T-ball this year.”

“You can give me schedules and we’ll work it out so he can play. But Saturdays and Sundays and alternate holidays won’t be enough time. That’s not sharing him equally.”

His words were quiet but held that same note of steel. She looked away again, thinking about how she could divide Ethan’s time to Jared’s satisfaction. “I don’t know. You move your headquarters to Santa Fe,” she suggested. “Then we can work this out much more easily.”

“I can’t do that,” he answered patiently. “It isn’t the air hub that Dallas is, or the oil center. Dallas is far more accessible. If either of us is going to move, it would be less of a hassle for you to move. Fort Worth is filled with museums and Dallas and Fort Worth both have art galleries. You could work in either place and be close at hand.”

She laced her fingers together and thought about her peaceful life in Santa Fe that had been simple in so many ways, and about how Jared was going to demolish all of it.

“Move to Dallas, live in a big city with all the traffic and hassle.”

“There are quiet housing sections, both inner-city and suburban, old and new, with their own shopping areas and galleries. I can look into the best locations, Megan. I can buy the house you want or build it for you,” he offered.

She closed her eyes and shook her head, tempted to cry out that she didn’t want his money or support or interference.

“I don’t know, Jared,” she replied finally. “Leaving Santa Fe and all I’ve established and have there seems monumental. What about Ethan’s friends?”

“Megan, he’s six years old,” Jared reminded her gently. “He’ll adjust to anything you do.”

Agitated, she stood and walked away from him, gazing at the flaming torches on the beach that shed bright circles of light on the white sand. She could see the tiny whitecaps washing on the shore’s edge, the vast dark ocean beyond. Could she bear to move? If she didn’t, she would have to pack Ethan up and send him off a great distance, whenever Jared saw his son.

If only she had sold Jared the ranch—what a bad decision she’d made!

Jared turned her to him. “If you move to Texas, it’ll be much easier for us to share him. You know that. And there’s no way I can move my headquarters and all my people to Santa Fe. Be realistic.”

“Realistic! Give him up and tear my heart out is what you mean!”

“No, it’s not,” Jared replied firmly in a quiet, patient voice. “I keep telling you to share him with me. Megan, I want what’s good for him, too. You act as if you’re sending him to some terrible fate.”

“I know,” she admitted. “I know you want what’s good and you want to get to know him, but moving to Dallas is an idea I have to adjust to.”

“That’s the most workable solution. He could still participate in all the activities and you and I’d both be there to see him.”

“What happens to him if you marry someone?” Megan asked. “She’ll want to have her own children with you. She’ll never love him like a mother.”

“I’m not marrying anyone. That’s not remotely on the horizon. Unless it’s you.”

“No. I’m not marrying without love. You’d be getting Ethan and convenient sex and I’d get my emotions too tangled up in a relationship.”

“Look, just take life as it is now. Let’s not take on additional problems.

“Stop fighting me, Megan. I can see it in your expression.” His hands squeezed her shoulders lightly, kneading and massaging. “You’re as tense as a spring that’s wound tightly.”

“There’s no way this is something I can take lightly,” she insisted. “Would a month in the summer work and maybe a week in the winter?”

“Not at all. Equal division. That’s what I want,” he replied and she took a deep breath, her mind running over possibilities and rejecting them as quickly as she thought of them.

“Let me consider it, Jared,” she said, twisting away from him and walking farther out onto the veranda. She stared out at the ocean and the silvery moon reflected in it while she pondered.

Jared’s hands closed on her arms. “Megan, you’re making this so damned difficult,” he whispered, leaning near to trace kisses across her neck.

She turned to protest and looked up into his eyes. “No,” she whispered.

“You don’t mean it,” he answered and leaned forward to silence any further protests with a kiss.

They died the minute his mouth covered hers. In spite of her intentions, all she could think was she wanted to make love once more with him.

She wound her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe and kissed him fervently. With a groan, his arm tightened around her waist and he shifted to stroke her back, twisting free the few buttons.

“Meg, darlin’, you’ll never know how I want you,” he whispered, pausing to frame her face with his hands and look at her. “With all my being,” he whispered and kissed her again.

Faint tugs at her back made her realize he was unfastening her top. He peeled it away and leaned back to pull it free and drop it. He unclasped her bra, taking it off, and then he cupped her breast and rubbed his thumb lightly over her nipple.

Desire was a storm, as impossible to refuse. He was enticement, forbidden dreams, a danger to her peace. But he’d already destroyed that. Her hips rubbed against him in invitation. Her kiss caused his groan. There was no stopping or going back. She was as helpless as a leaf carried on a rushing current.

His fingers touched her waist, and in seconds her skirt fell around her ankles. She stepped out of it and her shoes as he leaned back to look at her, his leisurely gaze made her tingle. Eagerly, she tugged off his shirt and unfastened his belt and slacks to let them fall. As soon as he’d kicked them off along with shoes, she peeled away his briefs to free him. He knelt to pull a packet from his trousers and then he picked her up.

“Jared, this is a dream,” she whispered, more to herself than him.

“It’s a dream come true, Meg.”

Clinging to him, she kissed him as he walked a few yards to place her on a chaise lounge. He moved between her legs and paused to put on the condom. Then he lowered his weight and she wrapped her arms and legs around him as he entered her slowly, driving her wild.

“Jared, love …” His kiss smothered her words and he kissed her as he eased out and then entered her slowly again, teasing and building need, until she arched against him and was writhing with urgency.

Perspiration beaded his shoulders and his forehead as he continued, and finally his control vanished and he thrust hard and fast. She crashed with a climax and rocked with him as he reached his, rapture enveloping her in a golden glow.

Sex was fantastic, but the wrong thing to happen in her life. She lay in his arms as he turned on his side and kept her with him. She caressed him, stroking his back, kissing his shoulder lightly.

“Meg, I want you here with me,” he whispered between the light kisses he showered on her temple and cheek. “Give us a chance and see what develops.”

In a tropical setting, it was more difficult to cling to logic and remain cool and remote. She knew she couldn’t trust him with her heart a second time. She had to go home.

He shifted, holding her close with one arm while he caressed her shoulder and brushed her hair away from her face. “You’re beautiful. And this is the best.”

She caressed his shoulder, kissing him lightly, momentarily enveloped in euphoria and wanting to stay that way a little longer. She wondered whether she would remember this moment all her life. Both of them nude, wrapped in each other’s embrace on the sandy beach. A faint breeze came off the water and she could hear the splash of breakers as they rolled into shore. Lantern light flickered over Jared’s face, illuminating his prominent cheekbones, leaving his eyes in shadows.

“We should shower,” she said.

“How about a quick, moonlight dip? Pool or ocean?”

“Ocean,” she replied and he stood to take her hand. They ran into the water, and when it was over their knees, both fell into it to swim. After minutes, he caught her and stopped, standing in waist-deep water to pull her to him and kiss her again. Their bodies were wet and warm, tantalizing to her. Her heart thudded and she was certain she had to go home to put distance between herself and Jared and get out of this magical dreamland setting where problems lost all reality.

Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him. He picked her up and waded out to the beach to carry her back into a bedroom.

They made love in bed, and afterward he held her close while he caressed her and murmured endearments that she barely heard. Her mind raced over what to tell him and when, deciding to let it go this night, and to deal with it in the light of day, which would restore a semblance of normalcy.

She wrapped her arms around him to hold him and kiss him again.

They loved through the night and finally slept in each other’s arms, as sunlight began to tint the world with pink. In his arms, she thought about the future, deciding she would go home, mortgage the ranch and hire the best lawyers possible to fight Jared. That would throw it into the courts where the best lawyer usually won.

She woke to an empty bed and left to shower and dress in blue slacks and shirt.

As soon as she was dressed and ready, she sat by the open door to gaze at his tropical flowers and the ocean while she called the family accountant to get him to look into the best rates to mortgage the ranch. After a brief argument, he acquiesced and made plans, saying he would be prepared when she returned home.

Next, she called her South Dakota bank to check on the savings left to her by her father. Then she called the Santa Fe bank to check on savings there, then talked with her stock broker about what she could get from stocks and bonds.

She would have to find new lawyers, the best she could hire. Jared would know the most competent, but she couldn’t ask him. There was that billionaire client—he’d bought her pottery. He could probably give her sound advice. When she was back at the ranch and knew how much she would have available for a court fight, she’d get in touch.

She would have to go home and tell Ethan about his father. There was no avoiding that, so it might as well happen her way.

And she wanted Jared to have a day or two of full responsibility for Ethan, because as a confirmed bachelor, Jared might discover he didn’t want to be burdened with a child after all, and all her problems would be solved. She couldn’t imagine him enjoying being tied down to his son to the extent that he talked about.

Finally, she brushed her hair and put it in a thick braid. She found Jared in the kitchen with breakfast waiting.

He wore khakis, a white knit shirt and deck shoes, and he paused to look at her thoroughly. “Good morning. Come join me,” he said, strolling to her.

She put up her hand and shook her head. “Last night was magic, Jared, but it’s daylight, and reason rules now. I want to go home as soon as possible.”

“Why? I thought we were gaining ground. We’ve talked about some options, developed a relationship, eliminated some possibilities—what’s the rush?”

“I never intended seduction and lovemaking.”

“You can’t say it’s been bad,” he remarked.

“Of course not. But it isn’t what I want and it isn’t doing my future any good. And I told you, I can’t separate it from my emotions the way you can. I don’t want to fall in love again.”

“If falling in love occurs, I’d think it would be the best possible development. It would solve our problems.”

“I don’t trust you. At home we’re in a regular setting, with a normal routine. Logic is not swept away by tropical breezes and magical nights. I want to be back where I can weigh the options for the future. And so far, I haven’t found any I like, even if you have. This may have to get settled in court, Jared,” she said.

His features hardened and a glacial look came to his dark eyes. She didn’t care if he didn’t like her answer. She hadn’t liked any of his.

“Megan, don’t make me take you to court. That could get really ugly and cause a world of hurt for all three of us,” he said in a tone of voice that she suspected had made more than one grown man quail.

She shook her head. “You don’t frighten me. I’ll tell you what I want to do first. I want to go home and tell Ethan that you’re his father. Then I want you to come stay a couple of days at my ranch and begin to get to know him. After that, if it looks feasible, and I approve, I want you to take him home with you and see how you like having responsibility for him all on your own,” she said.

Jared’s expression changed instantly. He came around the table and placed his hands on her waist. “Megan, absolutely fantastic! Now that’s more like it. I can get to know him and Ethan can get to know me and you can see us together. That’s a terrific suggestion!”

“I thought you’d like it,” she said, wondering if he thought he would win her over to doing things his way completely.

“Thank you, Megan. That’s grand. It will give us time to bond. I’ll call to get the plane ready and we can be on our way in about two hours. How’s that?”

“It’s fine with me, Jared.”

He smiled at her and her pulse raced. He looked so damned appealing and sexy, and in spite of all her anger with him, she wanted his arms around her and she longed to kiss him.

But she had the wisdom to not do anything personal. Yearning and anger conflicted; she wanted him to back off. She knew she was in love with him a second time.

“We’ll work this out to everyone’s satisfaction. You’ll see.”

“It would be miraculous if it happened. I just don’t see how.”

He moved away and got his cell phone out of his pocket to make calls. She left him to get ready for the trip home, carrying her bag to the front door and sitting on the veranda to wait.

“Tell me about Ethan, and remember, I want a picture. I’d like to see your scrapbooks about him,” Jared said as they flew home.

“Of course,” she said, “although most of the scrapbooks and that sort of thing are in Santa Fe, not South Dakota.”

“When I come to Santa Fe, I’ll see what you keep there.”

“Jared, you may find you don’t want the responsibility of a child,” she said, receiving a stormy glance and feeling their clash of wills that had returned full force.

“If you’re counting on that, you might as well forget it. I’m going to try my damnedest to get along with my son and be a father to him.”

“That’s different than being a chum.”

“I know that much. How soon will you get him home from your uncle’s house?”

“I’ll drive to Sioux Falls when we get back. I called while I was waiting for you,” she said. “I told them I would pick him up today and take him to the ranch. You can come tomorrow.”

“Did he mind the change in plans?”

“No. You said it yourself—kids adapt. He’s looking forward to seeing me, and I’ll be glad to see him. This has made me miss him twice as much.”

Jared nodded and reached over to take her hand. “Thanks for what you’re doing. I know you don’t want to, but it’s inevitable and much better this way, when you smooth the introduction. Anything we can do to make this transition easier will be better for Ethan, and I appreciate it.”

“I might as well try to do things the best way for him,” she responded, aware of her hand in Jared’s, his dark eyes resting on her.

“I still want you,” he said, sliding his hand behind her head and leaning forward to kiss her long and slowly.

She kept reminding herself to resist him, but she kissed him back instead. And each kiss forged a tighter bond, would be a bigger heartbreak and more of a struggle for her.

He raised his head. “Stop fighting me, Meg. You want this, too.”

“No, I don’t. I will contend with you as long as you kiss and flirt.” She withdrew her hand from his. He stretched out his long legs and crossed them at the ankles.

“Tell me about Ethan,” he said.

They talked about Ethan over a light lunch, and then Jared tried to charm and entertain her the rest of the way home with stories from his life.

Finally, she told him good-bye and headed to the ranch, anxious to see Ethan. And she wished with all her heart she didn’t have to face her son and tell him that his real father wasn’t who he’d thought all these years, but another man—one he had met only recently and briefly.

That evening, she pulled her son onto her lap. He was big enough that his legs dangled almost to the floor, but not quite. “Ethan, I want to talk to you about something important.”

Eight

Thursday morning Megan opened the door and stepped back to let Jared enter. For the first time since he was in his early twenties, he was nervous. He held a package in his hand wrapped in plain gray paper. He also had a junior-size football and a paper sack. Even with all his thoughts on the event ahead, he noticed Megan. He wished they’d stayed at his Yucatán home another day or more, because he wanted more nights with her, and he’d already missed her badly. It was a surprise that he would want her with him so much because he had thought he was over her and she would no longer be so important to him. She had her hair in a braid today and she wore tight jeans, a green T-shirt and boots.

“I left my things in the car. I can get them later,” Jared said and she nodded. “He’s okay with all this?” Jared asked.

“Yes,” she answered. Her eyes were wide, a clear turquoise, and she looked pale and somber. “He’s curious and I think he likes the idea of having a dad, but he’s shy.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s waiting in the family room. Jared, after I introduce you, I’m going to leave the two of you to get acquainted. I may go riding. It’s a pretty June day and he likes to play outside, so that’s good. You can take him out or you can stay in the family room. If you want to call, I’ll have my cell phone. I’ll stay out of the way for the next two hours.”

He nodded. “That’s great, Megan. I want to take both of you to dinner tonight.”

“Thanks, but I already have steaks. We’ll eat here and it’ll be easier.”

They entered the family room and he saw Ethan dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. He sat on the sofa playing with toy cars. As soon as they walked into the room, Ethan assessed him with a mixture of shyness and curiosity. He stood and waited.

“Ethan, this is Jared Dalton. You met in town last week. He’s your real father. I told you about him.”

Jared held out his hand to shake Ethan’s. “I brought you a present.”

“Before you open it, Ethan,” Megan said, “I told you earlier, I’m going to leave so you and Jared can get to know each other. I have my cell phone and you know how to call me. I’ll be back after a while.” She leaned down and he ran to her, holding up his arms and she swung him up to hug and kiss him. He held her tightly until she leaned away to set him on his feet. “Be a good boy.”

Ethan looked solemn and worried as she glanced at Jared. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Thanks, Megan.” He turned to his son. “Ethan, I also brought you a football,” Jared said. “We can throw it a little if you’d like to. First open your present.”

Ethan nodded solemnly.

“Ethan—thank him,” Megan prompted.

“Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome,” Jared said, smiling at him, wishing he knew a way to make this easier for Ethan.

“I’ll leave now.” Megan walked away and Jared wondered whether she was crying or not. He looked back at Ethan. “You can open your present, Ethan.”

Ethan slowly tore away the wrapping paper and opened the box to stare at the contents.

“It’s a model airplane and it has a real motor. If you want, I’ll help you put it together and then we can take it out and fly it.”

“Sure,” he said, glancing at Jared with a faint smile, and Jared let out his breath, thankful that it appeared he’d bought the right gift. Ethan looked in the box again and sat on the floor, starting to pour the contents out.

“Wait a minute, Ethan. I brought some things we’ll use. Let’s go out on the porch and work out there.”

Ethan picked up the box and ran outside and Jared followed. “Ethan, I also brought a camera. May I take your picture?”

“Sure,” he said, immediately halting and waiting. Jared pulled a camera out of the sack and took three pictures.

“Can I take your picture?”

“Of course, here’s the camera. Do you know how?”

“Yes, sir. Mommy showed me.” Jared watched Ethan turn the camera in his small hands and hold it out, clicking a picture. He smiled and handed back the camera and Jared showed him the picture he had taken.

“Good job. When I get home, I’ll print out copies and send them to you.” Jared began to empty his sack, withdrawing a newspaper to unfold it. “Now, let’s build the plane and fly it.”

Ethan plopped down and helped Jared spread the newspaper. Next, Jared pulled out an instruction sheet and glue and a sheet of stickers from the sack and sat on the floor of the porch beside Ethan to work with him, letting Ethan do all that he could by himself.

He was surprised how well Ethan took directions, soon losing his shyness and working happily with Jared as if they had known each other for years.

“Mr. Dalton—”

“Ethan,” Jared interrupted gently, placing his hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “I’m your dad. Call me Daddy or Dad, whichever you like, but I’m not Mr. Dalton to you.”

“Daddy,” Ethan said shyly, staring at Jared, and Jared reached over impulsively and picked up Ethan to hug him.

“Ethan, I already love you. You’re my son, my child, my baby even if you’re not a baby any longer. You’re part of me and my love is yours.”

Ethan put his thin arms around Jared’s neck and hugged him. “I’m glad you’re here, Daddy. I’ve wanted a daddy because my friends have daddies.”

“Well, you have one and I’m here to stay. If I had known I was going to be a dad, I would have come back immediately, Ethan. I won’t ever leave you again except for short times when I go to work or you go to school,” Jared said, feeling tears well up, surprised he was so emotional about Ethan. He hugged the boy’s small, thin body and closed his eyes, holding his son close. “You’ll never know how much I do love you, Ethan, but someday, when you’re a daddy, you’ll begin to understand.”

Ethan laughed and wiggled to get free, so Jared set him back where he had been, beside the toy plane that was almost complete.

“We have to let this dry for about thirty minutes,” Jared said. “Then we’ll go fly it.” He watched, helping when necessary, as Ethan did the finishing touches and then picked the colors he wanted and lined up the small pots of paint.

Ethan picked up a paintbrush, dipped it in green paint and began to apply it to the fuselage.

Watching as Ethan concentrated on painting his airplane, Jared marveled at how easily a child accepted life. Jared watched small fingers put on a coat of bright green paint, with orange flames along the cowling.

“Great plane, Ethan!” Jared praised his son as he rose to step back and take a picture of Ethan painting his toy model.

“Now, Ethan, we wait for it to dry,” Jared said, closing the pots of paint. “We’ll clean up. And since I brought a football, we can go toss it, if you’d like.”

“Yes, sir. I want a drink of water first.”

“Okay, come with me to the kitchen.”

Jared held the door and went inside the quiet, cool house, feeling Megan’s presence even though she wasn’t there, seeing her touches in a vase of cut red roses, seeing a book she was reading that was on the table beside a chair. If only she would agree to the marriage of convenience, or at least to move to Dallas, they could so easily share Ethan’s life. Instead, from all she’d said, she was preparing to go to court, and Jared dreaded it. It would hurt all of them—a bitter, damaging battle. One he expected to win, which would hurt Megan even more.

If they went to court, though, he vowed to fight for full custody. She’d regret not cooperating with him. He could get better lawyers than she could, and more of them, he was certain. The whole prospect was dismal and distasteful. And so unnecessary. They’d had a wonderful night in the tropics. Megan was the most exciting woman he’d ever known, and since their return to South Dakota, he’d missed her terribly.

He poured Ethan a glass of water and watched the boy’s small hands encircle the little glass. He was totally fascinated with his son, and thankful Megan had suggested they get to know each other right away.

As Ethan finished and handed the glass back to Jared, he cocked his head to one side. “Where’s the football?” he asked, running toward the porch. Jared followed, stepping out to see Ethan already in the yard, tossing the ball up and then running to get it when it fell in the grass.

He turned to throw it to Jared, who had to leap to one side to catch it. Jared moved closer and threw an easy toss underhand, which Ethan caught with both hands. He beamed with pleasure, throwing it back toward Jared.

After ten minutes, Ethan tired of catch and ran to climb on his swing. “Come push me.”

“How about a ‘please’?” Jared asked, strolling over to swing Ethan.

The morning passed and they were flying the plane when Megan emerged from the house carrying a platter with sandwiches, which she put on the table on the porch. She came out to join them as Ethan called to her.

“Look, Mommy! Look at the plane I built. And it flies!”

“Good job, Ethan!” she complimented him, walking up to Jared. He watched her approach, and he longed to go take her into his arms and kiss her and thank her for the morning with Ethan. Instead, he stood quietly waiting, wanting her in his arms and in his bed again with an increasing urgency.

“Looks like you’ve won his friendship, which I knew you would,” she said solemnly.

“Don’t sound so disappointed,” Jared said, annoyed with her tone—even as he desired her.

“I’m not. I know he needs a father in his life. I brought lunch, if either of you are hungry. Looks as if I may not be able to tear him away from flying his plane.”

“He can come back to it,” Jared said, turning to Ethan. “Ethan, land your plane and let’s go eat lunch.”

“Watch, Mommy. Watch my plane. Look at this,” Ethan called, pressing buttons and toggling a switch on his remote control, bringing the plane to the ground with a bounce. Jared and Megan both clapped and she smiled.

“That’s great, Ethan,” she said.

He dropped the remote control and ran toward the table.

“Go wash your hands,” Megan called after him, and he disappeared into the house.

“I think I’ll do the same. We’ve had an assortment of activities this morning, and I feel dusty,” Jared said, heading into the house behind Ethan.

They all reconvened on the porch to eat lunch, which Ethan wanted to escape after only a quarter of a chicken salad sandwich. Megan excused him and he ran off to play with the airplane again.

“So you bonded instantly. I’m relieved to see that you get along and can communicate with him.”

Jared smiled at her as he sipped ice tea. “You’re surprised and I would guess you’re disappointed.”

“Not really. I’d be unhappy if you couldn’t.”

“He asked me why I didn’t marry you. I told him I asked you a few days ago and you didn’t want to change the life you have with him right now. You may get questions yourself.”

“I have, and I expect to get more. I try to be as up front with him as I can. Your answer was a stretch, because what you proposed was a marriage of convenience. Of course, that’s the only kind it could be, because we’re not in love.”

He leaned forward to touch her cheek lightly. “It doesn’t mean that love isn’t going to happen. It could occur if we both try to be friends.”