Chapter 17 #2
“Hi.” She took them, and something warm spread through her chest. “These are beautiful.”
“They have them at the gas station. You know, the one on the corner down the road. Thought you might like them.”
She found a vase for the flowers while he looked around her living room.
“Nice place,” Tyler said.
“Thanks. It’s on the small side but has two bedrooms upstairs and an office on this floor.
” She blinked a few times. Why in the world had she mentioned the bedrooms?
“Um, and, you know, the main space downstairs.” She gestured toward the kitchen.
“Dinner’s almost ready. I hope you like lemon chicken. ”
They moved to the kitchen, falling into an easy rhythm as Brooke plated the food and Tyler filled water glasses. The domesticity of it felt natural, comfortable, like they’d done this many times before.
At her small dining table by the sliding patio door, they settled in, the view of the yard lending a pleasant ambiance.
She should’ve suggested eating outside, but it was too late now.
For a few minutes, they ate and made small talk about their days, the tension still there, bubbling beneath the surface.
Finally, Brooke set down her fork. “Deputy Boverman came by the coffee shop this morning.”
Tyler’s expression tightened. “What did he want?”
“To warn me about you. Again. He heard you were there last night.”
“Of course he did.”
“I defended you. He noticed. I think it made him uncomfortable, and he admitted maybe he was wrong.” That wasn’t exactly what he said, but it wasn’t an outright lie either.
“I don’t want to cause problems for you.”
“You’re not causing problems. He is.” She reached across the table, her hand covering his. “Tyler, I believe you’re innocent. I’m happy to tell everyone. Not because I’m naive or because I want to believe it. Because I’ve looked at the evidence, listened to Phil, and talked to you. I believe you.”
Tyler turned his hand over and laced his fingers with hers.
“Tell me about her,” Brooke said softly. “About your wife. Not about the fire. About before. About when things were good.”
Something shifted in Tyler’s expression.
Not pain exactly, but a bittersweet warmth.
“Jen was amazing. Smart, funny, completely unimpressed by my attempts to be cool.” He smiled at the memory.
“We met at a car show. She was there with her dad, and I was working a booth, helping out a friend. She asked more intelligent questions about engines than half the guys there.”
“Sounds like she was perfect for you.”
“She was. We got married young—not even twenty yet. Everyone said we were crazy, but it just felt right.” His thumb traced circles on the back of Brooke’s hand.
“Garrett was born a little over a year later. He looked just like her. Same smile, same laugh. He loved trucks and dinosaurs and being outside.”
“You had a good life,” Brooke said.
“I did. For almost four years, I had everything I’d ever wanted.” Tyler’s voice was thick with emotion. “Then it was gone. And for a long time, I thought that was it. That I’d used up my chance at happiness.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m sitting in your kitchen, holding your hand, and wondering if maybe I was wrong.
” He met her eyes. “But I’m terrified, Brooke.
What if getting close to me puts you in danger?
What if Adam’s right? Not about me being guilty.
” He shook his head. “But maybe I’m cursed.
Maybe I’ll put you in danger simply because I’m me. ”
“You’re not cursed,” Brooke said firmly. “Bad things happened. Terrible things. But that doesn’t make you cursed.”
“You sure?”
“I’m willing to take my chances.” She squeezed his hand. “What if you could be happy again? What if you could have something good?”
The question hung between them. Tyler stood slowly, and Brooke stood with him. They were close now, the tension from last night back in full force.
“I’m scared,” Brooke admitted. “I don’t know if I’m any good at relationships. I get so wrapped up in things that I can become a little . . . obsessive.”
“I’m not sure I mind you being obsessed with me.” Tyler’s hand cupped her face. “It seems like we might be a good pair, don’t you think?”
Brooke’s breath caught. This was right. Tyler was right. Whatever was building between them was real and worth the risk.
She closed the distance. Her hands gripped his shirt as she pulled him down to meet her. The kiss was everything—passionate, desperate, and perfect. All the tension that had been building between them since that first moment on the mountain released in a rush.
Tyler’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as the kiss deepened. This wasn’t the brief, tentative kiss from last night. This was them choosing each other despite the risks, despite the fear, despite everything that said they shouldn’t.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Brooke rested her forehead against his chest.
“What have we done?” she whispered.
“Something either really smart or really stupid.” Tyler’s voice was rough. “But I don’t regret it.”
“Me neither.” She looked up at him.
They stood there for a long moment, holding each other.
Finally, Brooke pulled back slightly. “I have running club in forty-five minutes. Come with me?”
“To running club?”
“Why not? Show everyone you’re not hiding. That you have nothing to be ashamed of.” She gave a mischievous smile. “Plus, it’ll drive Adam crazy.”
Tyler laughed. “When you put it that way, it’s tempting. But I don’t have running clothes on.” He motioned to his jeans.
“Go change. We’re meeting at Meadowlark Lane this week. You know the trail there?”
“I know it, but I’m going to pass. There’re a few things I need to do at home. You all run every week?”
“Every Wednesday, rain or shine. Next week, maybe?” While she wanted him to join them, she knew it might not be the best idea. Adam showed up last week. He might show up again, and then what? It could be super uncomfortable . . . or worse.
“Next week, sure. Let me help you tidy the kitchen.”
They cleaned up the dinner dishes together, the comfortable domesticity from earlier back in full force. When they were done, she walked him to the door.
She wanted to kiss him again, have a repeat of earlier. But she worried that if she did, she might beg him not to leave, and then she’d miss her run. Instead, she gave him a hug.
“You have my number now,” she reminded him. “Maybe call me tomorrow?”
He nodded before stepping outside.
She stayed in the doorway, giving him a wave when he reached his truck. He returned the gesture before climbing in and starting it up. As he pulled away from the curb, she started to close the door. That’s when she saw the little red sports car pull away from the curb down the block.