Chapter 4 #2
Alone in her small, restored home at night, Chloe had devoured his novels, falling even harder for him with that dose of inspiration, intense action, well-researched backgrounds, beloved and hated characters, and incredible plotlines and settings.
She had grown closer to him through his characters.
The only thing his books were missing was romance.
She’d teach him all about romance. If only he’d ask her on a date.
Things were taking off between them like a hot air balloon slowly filling with air and she had hopes of a date offer coming any hour.
Until the fateful day, four weeks after Chloe had met him, that she stopped by the store.
Robinette was a year younger than Chloe in high school, the local realtor, and a gorgeous redhead.
She had a horrific family situation. Even as a boyfriend stealer, Chloe tried to give her grace.
She couldn’t imagine how it would be to grow up with a narcissist mother, pacifist father, and sadistic brother.
There was one other brother, Nash, a nice, round-faced boy who had escaped the family and the island.
Robinette had walked in almost at closing time, spotted Davin, given Chloe a radiant smile, and beelined for Davin’s corner. Chloe had known, in that moment, that their carefree flirting and getting to know each other was coming to an abrupt and heartbreaking end.
Chloe had hurried to intercept, getting an effusive and fake hug from Robinette.
She’d felt she had no choice but to introduce them.
Davin stood to meet her ‘friend’ and they’d all chatted for a few minutes.
Chloe was impressed initially with how Davin seemed to not be falling for Robinette’s obvious allure.
Then a phone call had pulled Chloe away.
It was a supplier she needed to resolve issues with and a call she’d been waiting days for.
She was on the phone in the back room for maybe five minutes, rushing as quick as she could.
When she walked back out, Davin’s computer was closed and his glasses off. The two of them were standing suspiciously close, Robinette’s hand on his arm. Davin placed some distance between them the moment Chloe walked out, but the damage had been done.
When Davin said he was going to head out, Robinette had said goodbye to Chloe and the two of them walked out front together.
After that fateful day, Chloe had kept her distance and tried to avoid staring at him as he typed away each afternoon. He had continued to be friendly and it felt genuine. Over the next two months, he slowly wore down her walls again, and she had prayed he wasn’t going for Robinette.
Then she heard from Josephine just this week that Robinette and Davin had been spotted at lunch and dinner together regularly.
Robinette was also showing him homes for sale on the island.
The fact that Davin hadn’t even mentioned staying on the island to her said he was only looking at homes to spend more time with the realtor.
Robinette had even shared with Josephine that they were ‘intimate’.
Gross.
From that moment, Chloe had buried her interest for Davin Ambrose beneath a thousand hardcover textbooks. Sadly, she couldn’t eradicate it completely
She looked away from his gaze now.
“Yes, thank you, thank you,” her mom gushed.
“It makes my heart happy to know she’ll be watched over in this too-sterile hospital.
” She hugged herself and looked around at the white walls.
Her parents’ home was cozy but had more decorations in it than Chloe’s bookstore.
It caused a sensory overload sometimes for Chloe, but her mom loved to decorate.
With one more round of hugs, her parents finally departed. Jaxon shook Davin’s hand, giving her a smirk and a tilt of his chin, even as he said, “Remember, if you feel one bit uncomfortable, you pull that cord for the nurse.”
“Gotcha, Sheriff,” she tried to tease.
He smiled, gave Davin what might have been a warning look, and followed her parents out the door.
The silence that followed was overwhelming.
“I’m sorry,” Chloe said. She couldn’t look at Davin. “They’re a lot to take.”
“They’re great. I wish my family teased like that.”
“You say that …” She smiled, but it fell away. She adored her family. “Thank you.”
Another awkward silence filled the room.
She finally got the courage to look at him. “You’re really going to sleep in that chair?”
“I am.” The determination in his voice and gaze shot a thrill clear through her.
“What will you eat?”
“They’ll bring you in food or I’ll run to the cafeteria. Maybe I’ll call DoorDash.”
“What will you sleep in?”
He gestured to his Henley and joggers.
“How will you brush your teeth?”
Davin grinned and shook his head. “I’m certain they can bring me a toothbrush.”
She studied him. “You’re determined to stay.”
“Try to get rid of me.”
“Look at that. You’re learning how to tease.”
“Maybe I’ll fit in with the family yet.”
Chloe’s eyes widened and her stomach hopped.
They both looked away. She couldn’t believe he’d gone there.
Though she’d love for him to fit in with the family, it would never happen.
She’d had a crazy injury. She’d get discharged, go home, someday recover her memories, and figure out if someone had hurt her or if she’d simply fallen.
They’d go back to him writing at her bookshop and chatting during his breaks.
Soon, he’d leave the island and she’d probably never hear from him again.
Even if he hadn’t ‘hooked up’ with Robinette Valentine, Chloe couldn’t imagine a world where she was the right fit for a man as smart, accomplished, and unique as Davin Ambrose. No matter what she felt for him, they would never date.
A depression worse than thinking someone could’ve deliberately hurt her washed over her.
Never dating Davin. Could there be a worse prognosis?