Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
“ P hhht.” Estelle blew the floating glitter out of her face, though she knew it probably didn’t make much of a difference. She was going to be covered in gold glitter for weeks. Ugh. A low chuckle came from behind her, and Estelle’s head spun around. “Crew! What are you doing here?”
He looked far too delicious, and she was an absolute mess! How did guys do it? It seemed to take something utterly extreme before they looked less than perfect, but all Estelle had to do was forego makeup and throw on a pair of sweats and she was halfway to homeless.
He smirked, his hands in his pockets. “I stopped by the house,” he responded. “After helping feed your dad and bringing Antony down the stairs, your mom said she was good, then told me where to find you.” His greenish eyes wandered the room. “Looks like you’re busy.”
Estelle looked back at the bow she was tying, then spun, pushing her loose hair out of her face. “Sort of. My friend Brielle eloped with her husband Ryan, but we all want to celebrate with her.”
“Let me guess.” Crew slowly walked forward, one eyebrow raised as he grinned at her. “You made her a cake and are running the party?”
Estelle shrugged. “Mostly. Yeah. I’ve got some help.”
Crew looked around that room again. “Are you sure about that?”
“They’re in the kitchen,” she huffed, folding her arms over her chest, trying to hide the anticipation thrumming between them. She wasn’t sure if Crew could feel it, but it was taking every ounce of self control she had to not leap into his arms.
How in the world had she gotten so dependent on this man? She was supposed to be the strong one, the one who took care of everyone else without falling apart. And yet, she could barely keep breathing without Crew at her side.
Just a couple days ago, Estelle had decided to let herself live, to let herself fall. She wanted this, but it was proving harder than she thought. Dark thoughts were hard to ignore in the night or when she was dealing with Antony or when her father had another breathing episode.
Crew bent over to catch her gaze. “Would you like some help?” he asked.
The fact that he gave her an option rather than just jumping in, wasn’t lost on her. She was in a large room decorating all by herself. It was clear to anyone who walked by that she needed help, but Crew asked.
Warmth built in her chest, and her fingers twitched. “Are you sure you want to be here?” Dang it. The vulnerability in her tone was so evident, even a child would have recognized it.
Crew frowned and reached out, his hands landing on her upper arms. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Estelle shrugged. “I just…it just seems to me that you’d have a much better vacation if you spent time with Layla or Mason or really anyone…” She trailed off before finishing her sentence. The “but me” part hung in the air between them.
Crew’s shoulders fell slightly. “Sweetheart, I thought I’d made myself clear. This is where I want to be. Yes, my family is important. I want to spend time with Layla. It was my purpose in coming here, but I’ve gotten tons of time with her.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “Besides, Harper’s so happy that I’ve been helping you that she practically pushes me out the door every morning.”
Estelle closed her eyes and hung her head. It all felt too good to be true. How could she trust that he really meant it? How could she trust he didn’t just feel sorry for her?
“Have I worn out my welcome?” Crew dropped his arms and took a step back, his face stoic and his happy demeanor gone. “I don’t want to push where I’m not wanted.”
“No!” Estelle shouted, quickly reaching out only to drop her hand and force herself to calm down. “I…I just can’t quite figure out why you would be here when you could be there. You’ve done nothing but help me and honestly, I love my time with you, but I’m lost as to why you would spend time helping my broken family when you could be enjoying the town or something.”
Crew’s face relaxed, and Estelle found her fear relaxing with it. Contrary to what it might seem, she didn’t want him to leave. But she also didn’t want him to stick around just long enough to take her heart, then decide all of this was too much work.
With the way she found herself thinking of him and the way her heart fluttered every time he said hello, she knew it was a very real danger. Very. Real.
“Stelle,” he said in a low tone, stepping close again. “I’m here. I’m not leaving until I have to. I promised you that, and I’m not going back on it. As long as I’m able to make sure you’re not alone, I will do so.” His hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb softly rubbing against her skin. “Okay?”
Estelle swallowed, trying to force the fear, the worry and the sour taste of future heartache into submission. She wanted to live. She’d already decided this. And there was only one way to do that.
“Okay,” she agreed.
Crew smiled and leaned in to leave a delicate kiss on her forehead .
Estelle closed her eyes, soaking up the warm sensation as if she were a dying woman in the desert. Oh, how she needed what Crew was so readily offering and that both thrilled and scared her.
At some point in time, she would be back to doing this alone. How would she manage? Could she go back to shouldering this situation without him? There were more questions than answers, but none of them would help get Brielle’s reception ready.
Taking a deep breath, Estelle straightened her shoulders and gave Crew a smile. “How good are you at carrying heavy boxes?”
Crew looked down at his arms and gave a little flex. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
She laughed and reached out to squeeze his arm. “I’m not sure…” Laughter echoed through the large room as Crew grabbed her and began to tickle. “No…tickling…” Estelle gasped, trying to wriggle away.
After a moment, Crew had her back trapped against his chest, his arms around her waist, holding her securely against him. “Make fun of my manliness, and there are consequences,” he whispered in her ear before kissing the shell of it.
Another shiver ran down Estelle’s spine, and she barely managed to keep herself upright. Her legs were like jello in all the best ways. For just a moment, she thought about telling Brielle to decorate for her own reception, but instead, Estelle forced herself to remember her job.
Duty always came first.
“I’ve got some boxes out in the car,” she said breathlessly, pushing her hair back as Crew finally let her go. “Want to help me bring them in?”
“How about I go get them, and you keep doing…this…” Crew waved a hand around.
“This?” Estelle teased. “I’m making things pretty, thank you very much.”
Crew winked. “You were already the most beautiful thing here.”
Estelle jerked a little when he tweaked her nose .
“No need for more glitter, hm?”
Rolling her eyes, Estelle couldn’t help but smile and force her knees to hold her weight as Crew sauntered out of the room chuckling.
Crew was sure he’d just lost ten years of his life. He’d thought their relationship was coming along really well, but apparently, Estelle wasn’t quite as convinced as he was.
She was stunning in her sweats and messy hair. Glitter covering her from head to toe from the ribbons she’d been working with. It was a wonder there was any left on the decorations.
He hefted a box in his arms and marched back inside the church. “I’m going to assume this one goes in the kitchen?”
Estelle glanced over. “Is it full of pots and pans?”
He nodded.
“Then I suppose you’re a regular Sherlock Holmes.”
Crew huffed. “Careful, Stelle. I’ll have a comeback for you in a minute, after I relieve my manly muscles.” He smiled as she laughed, then he headed down the hall to find the kitchen.
Several other voices came into hearing, and a door was open, guiding him right where he needed to go.
“Hello, ladies,” Crew said as he stepped inside. “I’m unloading Estelle’s car. Where do you want this?”
A woman with a long blond ponytail narrowed her eyes at him. “You can set it anywhere, but…do I know you? You look familiar.”
“You’re probably familiar with my brother,” Crew said politely, shoving the box in a corner spot.
“Who’s your brother?” a woman with black curls and a very pregnant belly asked.
“Well, I like to call him Sasquatch,” Crew quipped. “But you probably know him as Mason. ”
“Ah…” Blondie nodded, then laughed. “Sasquatch, huh? I’ll bet Mason loves that.”
“Harper probably calls him that when she’s mad,” Dark curls added.
Crew chuckled. “And who might you two be?”
“Sorry.” Blondie bounced over hand up. “Riley. I’ve been friends with the Harrisons for just about my whole life, so when they need help, I tend to come running.”
Crew nodded and shook her hand before turning to the other.
“Quinn,” the woman said, also extending her hand, though her manner was much more subdued. “I married Estelle’s cousin, Michael.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Crew turned back toward the door. “I’m going to keep unloading, if that’s alright with you?”
“Don’t we get your name?” Riley asked with a grin.
Crew paused and went back over the conversation. Ha! He had forgotten to give them his name. He was more twitterpated than he thought.
“His name’s Crew,” Estelle said softly from the hallway. “And he’s got manly muscles for lifting boxes.” She turned to him with high eyebrows. “Isn’t that what you told me?”
Crew felt his neck heat but couldn’t help his crooked grin at her teasing. The women behind him were laughing, enjoying the banter. “Not quite,” Crew responded back. “I don’t have manly muscles. I’m manly, because I have muscles.” He walked toward her, stepping just to the side and pausing by her ear. “There’s a difference,” he whispered, leaving a quick kiss to her cheek before heading back down the hall.
Crew smiled the whole way out to the car. He hadn’t missed how the other women had squealed once they thought he was out of earshot, nor how Estelle had been telling them to be quiet.
He hoped his little display had been enough to tell the other women where his attention was, not to mention help Estelle see how serious he was about making things work between them .
Several boxes later, he finally put his hands on his hips. “Now what?”
“I’m starting to think you like being a workhorse,” Estelle teased.
“Only if you like it when I’m a workhorse,” Crew shot back.
Estelle smiled. “I need to set up tables. Wanna help?”
“Always.” Crew stilled when Estelle stopped to study him, as if wanting to see how serious he was. Little did she understand he was completely serious. He’d meant every word he’d said to her, though Estelle obviously still had some doubts.
Yes, their locations made things difficult, but they still had almost two weeks before he went home. And he could easily come visit. If they wanted to, they could make this work. But it would never survive if it was one-sided. He needed Estelle all in before he went home.
“Let’s go,” she finally said.
Several hours later, the hall multiplied with voices, and Crew frowned, standing and stretching his back. “What’s going on?”
Estelle shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She pulled out her phone. “I probably should check on Mom. I’ve been gone longer than I thought. Shoot.” She stepped away to make the call, when a large group of people filed into the space.
“Estelle,” Maeve breathed, looking around in awe. “You’re brilliant!”
Ethan laughed. “You’re just now realizing this? I would’ve thought her high school grades told you that years ago.” He grinned when his wife shoved her shoulder against his. Ethan jerked his chin as his hands were full of plastic bags, at Crew. “Wassup, man? They gotcha pulling the slave labor?”
Crew grinned and wrapped an arm around Estelle’s waist, pulling her into his side. “You know how it is,” he retorted. “They ask, we jump.”
The men chuckled and the women all argued, but as more people came filing in, Crew began to realize he only knew half the adults in the room.
“Uncle Crew!”
Now there was a familiar face. He let go of Estelle and held out his arms as Layla rushed over. Crew picked her up, propping her against his side. “What are you doing here, princess?”
“We brought dinner,” she explained, her hands flailing with language.
“Dinner?” Crew glanced at Estelle, who still looked stunned. “That sounds great. Let’s help set it up.”
Layla kicked her legs, and Crew set her down. Grabbing her hand, he walked over to Mason and Harper.
“We’ll have to eat out in the foyer,” Harper said loudly, gaining everyone’s attention. “If anyone messes up Estelle’s work, I’ll filet them.”
“I think that’s my job,” Aspen shouted.
Chuckles and laughter rang through the group.
Mason snorted and walked back out the door to the front entryway of the church. It was small, and by the time everyone was seated or leaning against the wall, it was a little too cozy for Crew’s liking, except for the fact that Estelle was on one side and Layla on the other.
After everyone had a container of food and names were given for those Crew didn’t know, they all dug in.
Leaning back against the wall, the floor hard beneath his backside, Crew chewed and listened. That longing he’d felt at the party grew stronger, and he shifted so that his arm lined up better with Estelle’s.
Yeah…he could get used to this. Friends, laughter, half cold Chinese food… A couple years ago he wouldn’t have believed it would be enjoyable at all, but now? If this was his future, Crew could get behind it one hundred percent.
His time was short, but his determination was only growing. Estelle needed to be in just as deep as him by the time he had to go back to work, and Crew wasn’t going to back down.This was everything he’d never known he wanted.