I stared up into the blue eyes of her husband as he gave me a quick glance only to wrap his arms around his wife. He was at least a foot taller than I was and amazingly handsome. Rand’s arms were thick and muscled, his shoulders as broad as they were wide. He planted a kiss on top of Brooklyn’s head. “Darlin’, this place reminds me of where I grew up.” His southern accent was thick. They seemed like complete and total opposites, but the way he looked at her was something else.
“Rand, this Jillian Robinson,” Brooklyn said, adoration in her eyes for her husband before she smiled at me. “She was the maid of honor at the wedding last night.”
Rand stuck out his hand. “Rand Shepard. Nice to meet you.” His hand swallowed mine as he shook mine.
“We’re meeting Hutch for breakfast,” Brooklyn announced as Rand moved around her making sure to keep his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Tell me he suggested the Angry Egg? They have the best breakfast in town.”
“That’s the place.” Rand nodded. “He said something about blueberry pancakes.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. “He’s absolutely right.” That’s when I noticed Hutch slowly walking down the street toward where we were standing. He had his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans while he had his eyes glued to the ground. Was he just nervous because he was going to meet his favorite driver, or was he struggling in general? I shouldn’t be worrying about him like that. Hutch’s mental wellbeing was no longer my problem.
“Wait, you’re a ballet dancer.” Brooklyn glanced up at the studio. “Is this yours?” she asked as she took in the massive building.
“Actually, I just bought it.” I dangled the keys in my hands. “I was going to take a look at all the work that needs to be done. Get an idea of what I got myself into.” I saw that Hutch had stopped and was staring in our direction. That couldn’t be good.
“Hey, Hutch.” I flashed a quick smile, trying to bring him into the conversation, despite knowing he didn’t want to speak with me.
Hutch’s head flew up in our direction, his eyes big and round. “Hey.” His expression was a combination of thankful with a side of unease.
Brooklyn introduced her husband to Hutch, and as the two men spoke, she turned back to me. “You should join us for breakfast,” she suggested.
Not happening. I shook my head. “Thank you, but I don’t want to intrude on—”
“That’s a great idea,” Hutch chimed in, cutting me off.
I stared at Hutch in shock. His brows were pinched together, his mouth tight, and as I looked at him, I wondered if he was going to have some sort of a panic attack. It was in the way his brown eyes had gone blank. “Hutch, can I talk to you?” My heart thudded in my chest. “Inside for just a moment?” I started to unlock the door to my studio. “Will you excuse us for just a second?” I asked Rand and Brooklyn.
“I know what you’re going to say, Jills,” he whispered when I spun around to face him once the door was shut behind us.
I narrowed my eyes. “You have no idea what I’m going to say,” I spat. “You made it perfectly clear you wanted nothing to do with me last night. I’m not having breakfast with you.” I folded my arms over my chest.
“I can’t do this alone.”
“Maybe you should have brought your wife.”
Hutch bit his bottom lip. “Right, of course, my wife.” He dragged his hands through his hair. “She doesn’t calm me down like you do. You are the only person that makes me feel grounded. I feel like I’m...I feel like I’m falling.” Hutch looked like he was going to draw blood with the way he was biting his lip so hard right now.
“Stop.” I reached up to touch his arm. “Fine, but we’re not pretending to be a couple or something stupid like that.” I tried not to wince when Hutch laced his fingers through my hand. What did I just tell him? “Is she working today, because we’re going to eat at the Egg.”
Hutch shook his head. “No, she’s going to visit her parents with Hazel,” he told me. “Thank you, Jilly.”
“Don’t thank me yet, Hutch, we haven’t gotten you through this.” I removed my hand from his, and opened the door. “Looks like there will be four of us for breakfast.” I tried to put a big smile on my face and hoped it looked genuine. I liked Brooklyn and I actually wanted to get to know her. She seemed like a cool person to hang around.
Brooklyn clapped her hands together. “Yay! I was wondering if maybe I could take some pictures of your studio afterward? It would photograph so well.”
I nodded. “Sure, of course.” I had no problem with that all.
She clapped her hands again before she threw her arms around me. “Thank you!” She crushed me tightly against her. “I have a feeling that you and I are going to be best friends by the end of the day.” She pulled back to look at Rand.
“I thought I was your best friend, darlin’.” He winked.
“I meant girlfriend, baby.” Brooklyn playfully swatted at his chest.
I glanced at Hutch to find him staring at his feet again. “We should go eat.” I nudged his side before I reached down for his hand. “Pancakes are my favorite at the Egg,” I blurted out.
“Usually I get chocolate and Hutch gets blueberry so that we can share.” His fingers tightened around mine as the four of us began walking. “But everything they serve is the best,” I added as Rand stopped to hold the door for us.
