Chapter 4 Heath
HEATH
“Are you sure you don’t need any more help? Gabby is having a girls’ day with Sadie, and I don’t know what to do with myself,” Sullivan admits. He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, but the grin on his face tells me he’s not really that embarrassed.
“She’s got you wrapped around her little finger then, eh?” I tell him before clapping my friend on the shoulder.
“Absolutely. No shame in admitting I’d do anything and everything to make her happy. You know, a few months ago, I thought I was content with a solitary life running the inn. Now, I can’t imagine not having Gabby with me every day.”
“I’m happy for you two. Sounds like someone wise and humble gave you some good advice.”
Sullivan chuckles, remembering our conversation not all that long ago.
He and Gabby were going through some heavy shit on my first day back in Hope Mountain.
I happened to be checking in to Willow Tree Inn when Sullivan needed someone to vent to.
I’d like to think I did a little something to encourage him in the right direction.
“So humble,” he jokes. “But seriously, it’s what I needed to hear. I get lost in my head sometimes. You made it clear what the most important thing was, so thank you.”
“Ah, I was kidding. No thanks needed. You knew what you needed to do; I just helped you connect the dots.”
“So, do you need help unpacking? I’ve got time to kill.”
I look around the house I just bought, which is mostly empty except for the stack of furniture and boxes Sullivan just helped me move in.
Truthfully, I don’t want to unpack today.
My mind is somewhere else. Specifically, it’s at Between the Covers, wondering what Lily is up to and if she needs anything.
“Uh-oh,” Sullivan says. “I know that look.”
“What look?” I ask, blinking my eyes a few times to shake off my thoughts.
“Gazing into the distance, eyes glossed over as you think about what she’s doing and why she isn’t next to you.”
“Who’s she?”
“You tell me,” Sullivan says with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, you’re wrong there,” I tell him. My cheeks are flushed, and I can’t look at him, knowing he’s spot on.
“Sure. Whatever you say. Whenever you decide to make a move, I’m sure Gabby would love to have the two of you over for dinner.”
“What? It’s not like that. Besides, I can’t make a move even if I wanted to.” I steal a glance at Sullivan, who has a shit-eating grin on his face. The bastard.
“But there’s someone you’re considering making a move on?”
I sigh and run a hand through my hair, tugging on the strands in exasperation. Sullivan’s phone beeps, and his smile turns soft and yet excited. I don’t have to guess who the text is from.
“Gabby’s back,” he tells me as he types out a response. “But you’re not off the hook. I’ll be here to return the favor of relationship advice whenever you’re ready.”
I shake my head but grin at my friend as he bounds outside and into his truck. He’s so in love it’s ridiculous, and I won’t lie, a tiny part of me is jealous. I want what he has, only with Lily.
The enchanting woman with red hair and soul-piercing blue eyes has been in my thoughts and dreams for the last few days.
I thought I’d be distracted with buying furniture for my new home and setting everything up.
However, every time I picture what I want my home to look like, I see Lily.
She’s in the kitchen, sipping the coffee I just made, or curled up in front of the fireplace with a stack of books.
I envision her outside on the porch, enjoying the sunset while looking out over the property.
It’s like I can’t decide how to decorate because I want her input. I want her to love this place.
I grab my keys and head out to my truck, despite my better judgment.
I should stay here and unpack. I should go grocery shopping and break out the cookbook Lily recommended.
I should get to work painting the gaudy double doors any color other than their current bright teal.
Basically, I should be doing anything but driving to Between the Covers.
Five minutes later, I’m pulling up to Lily’s bookstore with a dopey grin on my face that might just rival Sullivan’s. I already feel more at ease knowing she’s near. Damn it.
I walk inside, my eyes immediately drawn to Lily at the front counter. The bell above the door startles her, and she peers over at me. Her smile lights up her entire face, making my chest tighten as I return her smile.
The closer I get, however, the more I see how tired she is.
Lily is still absolutely gorgeous in every way, but her face is a little pale, and she has dark circles under her eyes.
She’s trying so damn hard to keep it all together, but I see her.
I may not know what’s causing her stress, but I feel the weight of the world as it rests on her shoulders.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I approach her.
“Do I look that bad?” she teases. Her flirty grin says one thing, but Lily can’t hide the sorrow in her eyes.
They’re dimmer today, more of a muted blue than the usual bright, crystal blue.
I shouldn’t know that about her, but here we are.
I guess I’m doing all the things I shouldn’t be doing today.
“You’re beautiful, as always,” I tell her.
Part of me knows I’m playing a dangerous game, especially when Lily’s cheeks turn pink at my compliment.
But I can’t let her think she’s anything other than an exquisite goddess.
At least I stuck to beautiful instead of sexiest goddamn woman I’ve ever seen.
“Um, thanks,” she whispers, before busying herself with a stack of papers on the counter in front of her.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re so tired?”
She quickly tucks a note of some kind into the large stack of papers as if she’s trying to hide it. Interesting. I don’t know if I’ve earned the right to ask her about it, but damn if I don’t have a burning need to find out.
“I’ve had a couple of restless nights,” she says, her words carefully measured.
I get the sense that she’s used to brushing over things, probably for Hayden’s benefit.
Lily has always been thoughtful and tender-hearted.
I could absolutely see her sparing her brother the sordid details as a way to protect him.
I want to be the one she trusts with all of her secrets; I just don’t know how.
“You can talk to me, Lily. Whatever you say will stay between us. Hayden is my best friend, but I’m here for you, too.”
I worry I said too much, but then Lily tilts her head to the side as her eyes bore into mine. She’s picking me apart, piece by piece, and I pray to all the gods I can think of that she finds me worthy of her trust.
“How did you…?” Her voice is soft, and I wonder if she meant to say that out loud. Lily clears her throat, looking down at her hands and then back up to meet my gaze. “I’m sure I’m just overreacting,” she hedges. I’m not having any of that shit.
“Let me be the judge of that,” I tell her with a smile. “It couldn’t hurt to have a second opinion, right?”
The beautiful woman I can’t stop thinking about chews on her bottom lip as she debates what to say. Eventually, she sighs and nods her head.
“A few nights ago, I heard some strange noises outside,” she starts. “I was upstairs in my apartment. I swear I heard them again, but this time from inside the store.”
I grit my teeth as my heart thrashes against my ribcage. I should have been here. She should have called. I remember we don’t have each other’s numbers, and I plan to fix that as soon as she’s done telling me what happened.
“I came down to check it out, but no one was here. It must have freaked me out more than I thought, because I’ve been waking myself up in the middle of the night, absolutely convinced someone is prowling around outside.
” She takes a deep breath, and I follow suit.
I need to calm down so she can tell me more.
“So, like I said. I’m just being paranoid.
I’ve been dealing with a real estate company that wants to buy up my store, and I think that anxiety manifested itself into stress dreams. That has to be it. ”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
She lifts a trembling hand to her face, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. When she rests it on the counter, I cover her hand with mine. A soft gasp escapes her lips as I wrap my fingers around her much smaller, delicate hand.
“Your safety is important, Lily,” I tell her in the calmest voice I can manage with all the possessive thoughts racing through my mind. “I wish I knew what you were dealing with. It doesn’t sit right with me that you didn’t have anyone to call.”
She shrugs, but her fingers curl around mine as she squeezes me for reassurance.
“There wasn’t much to report. I guess I’m used to charging into battle alone, and this felt no different.
” Her eyes go wide at her confession, and she stares at me like she just said something scandalous.
“Please don’t tell Hayden I said that,” she begs.
“It would kill him. I’m fine. I promise. I’m…”
“Hey, take a breath, sweetheart.” I try not to think about why I called her that or how easily it rolled off my tongue. “I told you, whatever we talk about stays between us. I’m sorry you’ve been alone for so long, but you’re not by yourself anymore. You have me.”
“But… why? Out of obligation to my brother?”
“I wish it were that simple,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” I’m quick to recover. “I care about you all on my own, with or without any loyalty to Hayden.” My stomach twists as I think about how disloyal my thoughts about Lily have been.
Hayden wouldn’t hesitate to knock my teeth out if he knew all the filthy things I want to do with his sister.
But I don’t just want her in my bed. I want her in my life forever.