CHAPTER SEVEN
T he air smelled like pine and juniper, and Whitney sighed happily as they stepped onto the sidewalk. Gus led the way, his rump keeping time with their paces. Trevor was beside her, one hand holding the leash, the other precariously close to her own. It took Herculean strength not to reach out and snatch it up.
“This is a lovely neighborhood,” she observed as they crossed the street headed toward a fire hydrant. Gus’s footfalls gained speed as he approached and marked his territory.
Trevor nodded, glancing over at her with a smile that made her belly turn. In the fading light, his hair was almost purple, the dimple in his chin appearing nearly black. “It’s a great place to grow up. Jessie and I were very lucky, and I’m glad Momma stayed. We have a lot of good memories here.”
“I bet. My parents sold our childhood home when they moved to Florida. It was kind of like this,” she said, sweeping her arm out toward a grove of trees. “We had pine and maple trees flanking the road, and the houses were basically the same style, if a little smaller.”
“What part of Florida?” Trevor asked, gently tugging on the leash when Gus was done with the hydrant.
“Outside Destin. I like the Gulf, and I’ve thought about moving down there to be closer to them, but it’s not for me.” She lifted a shoulder. “I guess I’m a Georgia girl.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” he quipped. “There’s a reason I never followed my sister out of state, I like it here. I’m not a snow person, so avoiding the winters is a plus. The beach is fun, but the sand isn’t. Not to mention, my friends and Momma are here. Eventually Jessie will come home, I know it.”
“You miss your sister?” Whitney related to that notion, as she thought of Winnie daily and craved one of their nights on the town or cozy evenings watching bad ’90s sitcoms. Their dynamic had shifted since Whitney moved in, and she missed how carefree they’d been when they both had their own homes.
Trevor stared ahead, not quite seeing the houses in front of him. “Yeah, I do. Not as much as Momma, of course, but I wish she’d come around more. Even for the holidays would be nice, but I won’t push the issue.”
“You’re a good brother, I can tell.” She nudged him with her shoulder, and he leaned into her for a moment before Gus pulled him forward in pursuit of a stick on the sidewalk. The hound nearly tripped over his own ears in excitement.
“Do you like living with your sister?”
Whitney shook her head, making a mental note to call Winnie for a proper update. So much had happened in the last two days, she damn near had whiplash. “I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the place to crash. She’s always working and is rarely there, so sometimes it’s like living alone.”
“Doctor?” he wagered.
“Lawyer, and for as much as I don’t seem to have career ambitions, Winnie has them all. She’s a couple years older, and I think she came out of the womb with a five-year plan.”
A little seed of doubt had been planted in Whitney long ago that she wasn’t meant to find her way professionally. She’d watched her sister go through her life with such determination and thoughtful planning, Whitney never thought she could have that too. Now, though, after meeting Kim and seeing the shop, that seed took root. Instead of doubt, she experienced a wave of inspiration.
“That’s why I’m considering Kim’s offer.”
Whitney’s admission had Trevor tripping over a bump in the sidewalk. “You don’t say?” he asked, lips quivering. “You think you’d stick around a while then.” He said it as a statement, and Whitney knew before she started nodding she did want to stay, even if only for a little while.
Taking a moment to study his profile, she took in his square jaw and strong nose. This man was ridiculously handsome, and could cook—and, more importantly, he seemed keen for her to stick around. “I think I will, even just for seasonal work. I need to do something, and I think I can really help with this summer rush.”
Trevor’s smirk morphed into a full grin at that. Knees wobbling, she hadn’t realized how much she wanted to see that smile until she was the cause. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
They reached a fork in the road and Trevor gestured to the right. “If we go this way, we’ll be back home in a couple minutes, but if we hang left, we’ll see the older part of the neighborhood.”
Gus was already pulling on his leash to keep walking left, and Whitney wouldn’t argue with him. “Let’s follow Gus, if you don’t mind. I’m enjoying this.” She offered a shy smile before focusing back on the hound. She was falling for this goofy dog, and she needed to be careful not to fall for his owner.
“I’m enjoying this, too.”
They strode past a pair of joggers, Trevor reaching out to rest a hand above the small of her back so she didn’t stagger. His fingertips practically burned through the cotton of her dress.
She was so focused on his touch, she missed his question. “Hmm?” she asked, clearing the lump in her throat. If she wasn’t careful, she’d swallow her own tongue if he kept touching her.
“I asked, what excites you about working at Kim’s Creations?”
Now Whitney’s pulse galloped for other reasons. Trevor showed an interest in her, as a person. As ridiculous as it was, she was unaccustomed to men in her life showing that much genuine attention. All Baxter cared about was that she had been available for him, not how she’d spend her free time. It took a moment for her to catch her breath and give a thoughtful response.
“Well, at the risk of sounding crass, I could use the money. But it’s more than that. I like helping people, I like styling and clothes, and it would be nice to do a job because I’m interested.” She wrinkled her nose, and added, “Which I’m sure sounds lame, since you’re so career focused.”
She couldn’t be certain, but Trevor flinched at her last statement. He coughed into his fist before saying, “I try to be, but sometimes situations are out of my hands.” He sighed so loudly, she was surprised he didn’t blow away. Whitney knew there was more to the story, but she wasn’t going to push, not now anyway.
They walked the next block in companionable silence, but Whitney craved a topic change. “Turns out we have more in common than you might think,” she said, stepping over a crack in the sidewalk.
Trevor reached out to steady her by the elbow, keeping his hand there longer than necessary, her skin about to combust from his proximity. “Is that so?”
Whitney exhaled, readying herself for the truth. There was no use hiding her pain when the man was clearly in the midst of his own. Plus, she wanted to tell her full story to Trevor. More had brought her here than a need to escape her sister’s jerk of a cat and lack of a social life. Just as with her over-filled suitcase, Whitney was ready to unpack.
“I recently got dumped myself.”
Trevor’s footfalls faltered, and he nearly face-planted in the middle of a neighbor’s lawn. “You did?”
“Yup, last month.”
“I’m sorry, Whitney. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.”
Whitney nodded, but she wasn’t done unloading. “It gets worse,” she teased.
“Oh boy, worse how?” Trevor’s dark eyes shown in the street lamp light, his hair falling down his forehead in burnish waves. His strong arms hung by his side, but he was quick to reach out and steady her anytime her footsteps slowed. He was in tune with her movements, ready in a flash if she fumbled. If, God forbid, she found herself in a burning building, she’d want Trevor bursting through the blaze to save her.
“Do you know the Savannah Bananas?” she asked, giggling at his confused expression. “This is going somewhere, I promise.”
Trevor’s eyes bulged. “Did your ex leave you for a Banana?”
Whitney choked out a laugh, patting her chest to catch her breath. “Oh Lordie, no. Yet that would have been less upsetting, frankly.”
“What happened?” Trevor asked, taking her hand as they crossed the street. It was a gentlemanly gesture; one Whitney had been missing. She squeezed his hand once before letting go, already missing his touch.
“He proposed to another woman during the game, right there on the jumbotron.” She held her arms up as if projecting the scene. “It stings, because we’d barely been broken up a month at that point.”
Now Trevor stopped entirely, spinning her to face him. “You’re kidding.”
“Sadly, no. It’s likely he was cheating on me. Or heaven forbid, with me.” She shuddered, discomfort wrapping around her like a snake, threatening to suffocate her.
“First of all, I’m going to need Baxter’s full name and his address so I can drive over to Savannah and kick his ass from here to Mobile.” Sensing Trevor’s frustration, Gus barked his agreement. He was hardly a dangerous animal, but Whitney respected the support.
Whitney smirked. “I appreciate the offer, but I got closure my own way.”
Trevor’s lips quirked. “I gotta hear this.”
Whitney told him about her joyride, from the pizza to the lipstick love note. With every detail, Trevor’s smile grew, and he laughed as if he was watching a comedian’s TV special, complete with tears pooling in his eyes. Dabbing away at a stray tear, he reached out and pulled her toward his chest in a bone-crushing hug. “Remind me to stay on your good side, Whitney Kerr.”
His breath tickled her ear, and she shivered at their close contact. Every cell in her body was screaming for more, screaming to turn her head only slightly and kiss him. But the voice of reason in her head— who should really mind her business —told her it wasn’t the right time. Instead, she savored the sensation of being enveloped in Trevor’s strong arms and leaned into his comfort. Right now, that was more than enough.
*
T revor was not happy that Whitney was heartbroken, but he was happy to learn she was single—and planning on sticking around a little while longer. He hated himself for that, but it was true. Sensing she was still raw from her admission, he decided to go for broke himself. They had at least another ten minutes of walking, and there was no time like the present.
“Well, if you’ll allow me to repay your honesty, I can tell you about Virginia.”
Whitney scoffed but recovered quickly. “You mean there’s more?”
“Oh yeah,” he said on a long exhale. Trevor couldn’t decipher why, but he was suddenly desperate for Whitney to know everything about him. He wanted baggage out of the way, or at least seen, before they moved forward. Granted, he had no idea where they were going, but her landing a job in Pinegrove meant she was staying. He liked that idea ... a little too much.
“This doesn’t need to be a tit-for-tat situation,” she promised, carefully nudging his side with her elbow.
Trevor paused while Gus marked another fire hydrant. “I know that, but it only seems right.” He looked at Whiney, her expression filled with concern. “So, I got turned down for a promotion recently at the fire station. I was going for captain.”
Whitney covered her heart with her hand and gasped. “I’m so sorry, that’s terrible.”
“Thank you, I won’t disagree.” He forced a chuckle he didn’t feel before continuing. “To make a long story short, Virginia is now engaged to the man who got the captain’s job.”
Whitney skidded to a halt, and they walked right into Gus, the hound yipping at the change in pace. “You’re kidding?”
“’Fraid not.”
“Pardon me for saying this, Trevor, but you’re describing the plot of a romance novel,” she mused, absorbing everything. “I mean, mean-hearted ex gets with work rival. The book practically writes itself!”
“Well, if you know of any aspiring authors, let me know.”
Whitney shook herself, splaying a hand over her chest. “No, I don’t mean to make light of your situation. Truly.”
“I know you don’t. It doesn’t look like your style.” Granted, he hardly knew this woman, but she didn’t seem to have a mean bone in her body. Well, unless she was humiliated on TV by an asshole.
“How are you holding up with everything? Today must have been rough.” Whitney began walking again, having taken Gus’s leash when Trevor wasn’t paying attention.
Trevor stretched, his head falling back to stare up at the night sky. Clouds were rolling in, and he hoped by the time the Fourth of July came, the weather cooperated. “Honestly, not too bad, all things considered. I’m over Virginia, I really am, but the fact that she’s now engaged to the man who has my dream job, it’s just ...”
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow?” she wagered, reaching out and taking his hand with her free one. She held firm, squeezing so he knew she was there. “Dreams are funny, aren’t they? You make plans and have these grand ideas, but sometimes all it takes is one person’s carelessness to dash it all to pieces.”
His palm grew slick with sweat, but Trevor wouldn’t let go. “How are you handling Baxter’s engagement? I can’t imagine that’s an easy thing to bounce back from.”
Whitney snorted, the unladylike sound charming him. “Oh, I’ll get there. Right now, I’m firmly in the rage portion of things. I’m looking back at some of the things he said, some of the things he did, and I know it wasn’t meant to be.” She nibbled her bottom lip a moment before continuing. “But the change of scenery helps. Being here helps.” Feeling braver than he was, she added, “Being out on this walk with you helps.” She stopped and faced him, her eyes searching his for answers. “Thank you for opening up your family home to me, Trevor.”
He opened his mouth to say it was nothing, but she clamped her hand over it. Gus plopped down in the grass beside them, already bored with their conversation.
“I know this entire situation is bizarre, but you and your momma offered me kindness when you didn’t need to. It’s certainly putting me in a better head space, and I found an opportunity I never would have found otherwise with Kim.” She dropped her hand and smirked. “You may speak now.”
He laughed and gently tugged on Gus’s leash. “You’re welcome. I’m glad we’re able to help. And I know Momma has already said this a million times, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you need. Especially if you’re working for Kim. I think you made Momma’s year with that turn of events. She’s been worried about her for a while.”
They spoke about Kim and the shops on Main Street until Daisy’s house came into view. Gus pulled ahead and barked when they reached the front door. Trevor let them inside, stepping back as Gus leaped through the doorway. Walked, fed, and happy, Gus shuffled off to his dog bed and was asleep in seconds.
Whitney stood awkwardly, watching Trevor pull his keys from the lock. “I should probably head back. Tomorrow is an early shift.”
“Thanks for dinner and the walk and the talk.” Whitney seemed flustered, and she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “I know it was a rough day, but hopefully it ended on a high note.”
Trevor closed the distance in two strides. Reaching up, he tucked a curl behind her ear. His finger grazed her ear lobe as he pulled back, and she shivered. Every cell in his body was on alert at Whitney’s proximity.
“Tonight was perfect. I can hardly remember why my day sucked.” The admission came easily, and he was incredibly grateful at his mother’s matchmaking skills.
“I’m glad.” Whitney breathed, goosebumps erupting down her neck.
“Good night, darlin’. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you,” she agreed.
Trevor strode to his car and got behind the wheel with a lightness in his step. When the day had started, he’d been certain it would end in disaster. Yet now, with Whitney in town, things just felt better ... more hopeful. He hadn’t realized until he parked his car that he’d been singing along to the radio the whole drive home.
Yeah, Trevor was going to be all right.