Chapter 6 #2
“But I do,” she said, the warmth in her voice gone.
I turned to look down at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her eyes were sharp, fierce as she said, “It means I see the way you look at my sister, and if you hurt her, you’ll regret it.”
I didn’t bother pretending not to know what she was talking about. Claire was too no-nonsense for it. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Good. She’s been through hell, and she’s running on fumes. One wrong move and she could fall apart.”
While I respected Claire’s need to protect Tess, her saying that didn’t sit right with me. Shifting on my feet, I faced her fully. “You need to give her more credit, Claire.” Her eyes narrowed at me, head tilting like she wanted to kick my ass.
“Tess isn’t a child; she’s a grown woman,” I continued, my voice low but steady.
“Just because she went through something awful, it doesn’t mean she’s seconds away from shattering.
It makes her strong. Resilient. The fact that she’s even here after the nightmare that monster has put her through shows just how incredible she is. ”
Claire blinked quickly, speechless. She looked back at Tess. “You’re right,” she said eventually, her voice hoarse. “I just want to protect her.” Her voice was nothing more than a weak whisper.
“I do, too. But smothering her isn’t going to help her stand on her own two feet or make her believe that she can.”
She nodded. Her eyes were glassy when she glanced up at me. “I’m glad she has you. You’re a good guy, Levi.”
I nodded once, bringing my beer bottle to my lips, knowing that wasn’t true. Good guys didn’t constantly think about their clients the way I thought of Tess. But I was a Hollis after all, and none of them were good.
It was that thought that had me saying bye to Claire and draining my beer to go out onto the dance floor, where Tess and Luke were dancing.
Consequences and boundaries be damned, I wanted to dance with the most beautiful woman here tonight.
I tapped Luke on the shoulder, squatting to his level. “Can I dance with your mom?”
He let go of her hands instantly. “Yeah. She wikes to spin.”
“Luke!” Tess whined, glaring at him as he ran off, giggling. She sighed, shaking her head. “He is wearing me thin today, I swear.”
“Spinning, huh?” I grinned, taking her hand in mine as I twirled her slowly. Her dress fluttered around her legs, her hair flowing along her back.
Spinning just became my favorite, too.
She rolled her eyes, pressing a palm to my chest when I brought her close. “Not you, too.”
I laughed, letting my hand settle low on her back. “But it’s so fun to see you all flustered.”
She arched a dark brow, eyes glittering with mischief. “And what flusters you?”
I wanted to remind her that I got so tongue-tied earlier that she called me Yoda, but I couldn’t risk it.
I didn’t want to overwhelm her when I wasn’t sure how we could be together with me representing her.
Or if she’d even want to be with me, for that matter.
She might not have been ready for a relationship and would rather focus on herself and Luke for the time being.
Then there was also the unsettling fear that maybe she was ready, but didn’t want me.
“Typos,” I said before I could stop myself. Really, Levi? That’s what you’re going with?
She brought a hand to her face, laughing. “You’re so…unexpected.”
My head tilted. “How so?”
Tess shrugged, our pace slowing along with the song.
“I don’t know. Just when I think you’ll say or do one thing, you do something else, and I always end up smiling.
” She scanned the park, her eyes losing a little of their spark.
“Jeremy was unpredictable like that,” she said, quieter.
“But it was never good. Being with you is refreshing. It reminds me that spontaneity can be a good thing.”
Her eyes met mine, something in them that stole my breath. “I like being around you, Levi.” Her voice was soft. A shudder ran through my body, one I hoped she couldn’t feel. “You don’t treat me like I’m damaged, and Luke adores you. And you’ve already done so much for us.”
I shook my head, my throat tight. “Not enough.” I wanted them to have the world.
“More than anyone else has.” She licked her lips, looking around again.
A soft smile spread on her face, and I knew she was looking at Luke.
“I keep thinking about what Judge Blackburn said yesterday about me needing a job, but I don’t know what I’ll do.
I haven’t worked in six years; Jeremy wouldn’t let me.
But even then, I was just a waitress.” The worry in her eyes when she looked up at me nearly made my legs buckle.
“Who’s going to hire me with a resume like that? ”
“We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.” My grip on her tightened just slightly. “You aren’t alone in this,” I reminded her.
“I know. I’m lucky to have my family.” She swallowed, her eyes darting between mine. “And you.”
Always me, I thought, the words burning the back of my throat. But I only nodded, because saying it out loud felt like crossing a line I was already teetering over. She lay her head on my chest, and I wondered how much longer I could go on like this.