Face-Off by Nancy Warren

her knife and fork down, never a good sign in a woman who loved food.
    â€œNo.” What was he trying to say? “I love you.”
    Her expression relaxed. “I love you, too.” She reached out and touched his cheek. “It won’t be long until Christmas.”
    â€œWe’ve never been apart longer than a week. Not since eighth grade.”
    â€œI know. I’m really going to miss you.” She bit her lip. “I can’t afford to come home for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas. But maybe you could fly out for a few days?”
    â€œI start my training course in September. Not sure I’ll be able to go.”
    The ring was burning a hole in his pocket and all he could think about was the joy on her face when she saw it.
    â€œWe only have a few days left before I leave.” Her voice dropped to husky in a way he loved. “We’d better not waste them.”
    He thought he would love this woman for the rest of his life. She was his first, his only, and he knew deep in his bones that he’d never want another woman, not with Sam in his life. His buddies had joked around that once Sam was on the other side of the country, he’d be a free man. But he didn’t feel that way. Didn’t want to be free.
    For damn sure didn’t want her thinking she was free.
    â€œI know what I want to do,” he said, leaning forward, taking her hand.
    She leaned in a little, smiled at him with those big ocean-colored eyes. “Is it very kinky?” she purred. He gulped. Now or never. His hand was a little unsteady as he pulled out the ring box. Put it on the table in front of her. “I want to tell all our friends that we’ll be getting married as soon as you finish school.” He paused for a second. Wondered why they need to wait so long. “Sooner if you want.”
    She’d stared at that ring box as though it were a live grenade, or a poisonous spider, or an engagement ring from a guy you had no intention of marrying.
    Where was the welling of tears in her eyes? The amazed squeal? The excitement?
    â€œAre you asking me to marry you?” she whispered.
    â€œYeah. I am. I can’t wait to tell everybody. They’ll be so stoked.”
    She looked up and as their gazes connected he didn’t see love there, but doubt. “But I’m moving to Toronto for three years.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t you wait until I was done school?”
    â€œBecause I want to know that every guy on campus will see that ring and know you’re taken,” he’d blurted. Which wasn’t at all what he’d meant to say, but she’d rattled him. Where were the tears? The throwing herself in his arms and promising eternal love? Where was the chick-flick moment he’d imagined?
    She hadn’t even lifted the box to take a peek. She’d stared at him, her eyes now big and sad. “You don’t trust me.”
    â€œIt’s not you I don’t trust. It’s guys.”
    Which he now realized wasn’t the smartest thing he could have said.
    â€œSo, are you going to wear an engagement ring too?” she’d demanded in that pissy voice she got when they talked about feminism and stuff. Like there was only one right answer and he was never going to come up with it. “I know how women like a hot cop.”
    He’d known her long enough to realize when her mood was dangerous. But he’d been too angry, too humiliated, too hurt that she had so misunderstood him, and he’d picked up the ring box and stuffed it back in his pocket.
    â€œForget it. Just forget it.”
    He’d called for the check and they’d left the restaurant, him with a sour taste in his mouth. The eatery was still there, still one of the top restaurants in town. He’d never been back.
    The fight they’d had after they left had been their worst ever. When they were done throwing insults at each other—and they