Chapter 10
TEN
SYLVIE
God, I’m so stupid. Na?ve, dumb, all the words to describe how shitty I feel flood my head as I toss Hunter’s clothes in my washer. The boots lay abandoned at my front door, already in a plastic bag ready to be handed off.
I should know better. Sex is one thing, but commitment is another. And although he’d been hedging on the idea of me staying, the reminder of his daughter was obviously enough to wake him up from the fantasy.
Because that’s all we could really be, right?
We were two people from completely different worlds, with different lifestyles and worldviews.
He was right. He has a daughter, and I’ve always considered myself childless.
Perhaps not by choice, but it’s not like I’ve been surrounded by people who show parenthood as being anything worth having.
Already, that makes us different people. I’m sure he’d be open to having more babies if he could, since he’s done so well with Opal, but I don’t know if I should do that—or want it.
And then there’s Willow Ridge.
Could I stay in a small town forever? I think about the last month living here; the peacefulness of the town, how slow and quiet it is.
It isn’t always on the go, and the people are far more welcoming and kind than I ever could have imagined.
I will admit, small towns have their way of charming people based on their exterior, but once you get to know them, you realise there’s something dark hidden within.
But not Willow Ridge. At least, not from what I’ve seen so far. The community comes together and supports one another in ways I haven’t seen before. It goes beyond the fundraiser. There’s a deeper respect for one another here that blows my mind.
But is that enough to make me want to stay? I don’t know. If it were with Hunter…
I close my eyes, leaning back against the washer. I can’t bring myself to turn it on and wash away today’s memories just yet. Why am I even hesitating? Being asked to leave was a wake-up call. Even if we could make it work, I’d always be an outsider in his life—in their lives.
As much as I care for him—and Opal—I just don’t know if that’ll be enough.
The hard knocks on my front door have my eyes flying open. I check my watch for any missed calls or texts, but none have come through. Granted, I only just charged both devices since coming home. But I’m not expecting anyone.
As three more knocks sound through the house, I leave my small laundry room and start down the short hall towards the entry, each step making my heart pound with anticipation.
I don’t even stop to wonder who’s there, not as I throw open the front door. A breath catches in my throat as I take in both Hunter and Opal standing outside, bundled in heavy jackets. As soon as Opal sees me, a giant smile forms on her lips, and she throws herself into my arms.
“I’m sorry Dad kicked you out because of me,” she says in a rush. “I wasn’t upset about the two of you. I promise. It was something else, and he overreacted. Please don’t go.”
As I hold her in a hug, my heart flutters. “Hey, I’m not upset.”
Opal sniffles. “Can we come in, please? It’s freezing.”
I look from her to her father, standing with his hands in his pockets, uncertainty playing across his features. “We’ll leave if you don’t want us here. But I won’t go without a fight.”
My belly does a flip, but I silently nod and push the door open for him. In my arms, Opal releases a shaky breath, and together they enter my house.
It isn’t much, and I haven’t spent any time doing anything with it.
Honestly, I decided to rent it on the off chance I wanted to purchase something in town, but I wasn’t sure whether I could commit to anything like that here.
I own my townhouse in Manhattan—well I inherited it. But it’s all I’ve ever needed.
Only now, I don’t know if I see myself returning to it.
Hunter immediately finds my stare, his gaze burning. The entire morning hits me with harsh clarity, something I don’t know if I’m ready to admit yet.
“Opal is right. I shouldn’t have asked you to leave,” he starts, pulling his hands from his pockets and wrapping an arm around Opal. “It wasn’t right.”
I shake my head. “No, I get it. You did what you had to do.” I look from him to Opal. “I don’t blame your dad. Really. I’d probably do the same. You were clearly upset, and that needed to be addressed. But are you sure you aren’t…worried?”
Opal shrugs. “Why would I be?” she asks. “I have been trying—not so subtly—to get you guys together all month. Last night was the final straw. And I could not let Mr. Henderson win the date with you.”
I frown, despite the relief flooding through me. “Mr. Henderson?”
“The gym teacher.” Opal rolls her eyes. “Beside the point. I’m not mad about you and Dad.
That was my whole master plan. I was upset about something my mom did, but that literally has nothing to do with either of you.
I know you kissed, and I will not get in the way of you two dating.
But I don’t want you to leave Willow Ridge. ”
The tears burning in my eyes are an unfamiliar feeling, one I don’t know how to hide—especially from them. Because as soon as Hunter takes my hand, I feel the first one fall, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“Gah, sorry,” I mutter, wiping it away with a laugh. “Please. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
“I’m not, though,” he murmurs, tugging me towards him. I’m too stunned to stop him, too shocked to respond. “And I do worry. Because I don’t want you to think I pushed you away today because of anything you did. You didn’t do anything to deserve that. And I…” He trails off, shaking his head.
“You, what?” I ask, voice soft.
He looks at me like he’s really seeing me, and that alone has something sparking to life within me.
“I care about you more than what’s probably appropriate considering how long we’ve known each other.
” I don’t want to, but I read between the lines.
And care sounds a lot like love. Which should be impossible.
But it doesn’t, and it has nothing to do with today.
I’d felt it last night when he carried me to his truck, then to his cabin. Felt it in every stare I’d caught from the stage at the auction, in every verbal spat over ideas and planning when he eventually gave in to what I’d wanted.
He continues quietly. “I don’t want you going anywhere. I don’t know if I made that very clear earlier, but that’s the last thing I want. And, well…” He looks down at his daughter, who grins. “Opal?”
“Move in!” she says, taking my other hand. “When your lease is up, anyway. Please?”
I don’t know which emotion is more prevalent. The shock? Or the happiness? Because both slam into me so fast, I can’t catch my breath. “Huh?”
Hunter clears his throat, entwining his fingers with mine. “You need a damn good reason to stay, and I get that. You have a whole life—a career—back home, and Willow Ridge probably can’t compete with that. But I’m hoping we can.”
Here come the tears again. They fall with no resistance, with no way to escape them. But this time, I don’t want to.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “Because if you aren’t—”
As soon as he releases my hand, I feel myself deflate, only for the warmth from before to flood me as he wraps an arm around me and pulls me into his chest. The moment I breathe in his cologne, I can’t help but sob.
“We want you in our lives. I want you in my life,” he whispers. “Not just for now, but forever. And I wish I’d said all this earlier. Because I really don’t like seeing you cry.”
I sniffle. “No one has ever wanted me to stick around,” I admit with a half-smile, looking from Opal to him.
Opal leans her head on my shoulder. “I’ve wanted you to stay since we met,” she says. “I thought you were so cool.”
I choke on a half-sob, half-laugh. “Thanks.”
“And although I might not have shown it very well, I want you to stay, too,” Hunter murmurs, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “I want you.”