“Yup,” I lie. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You never park over here.” He shakes his head slowly, looking around.
“There’s a first for everything.” I nervously scratch my eyebrow.
His eyes turn back to me, but after a moment, he hesitantly unbuckles his seat belt.
In a moment of weakness, with worry creeping up my neck, I reach out and grab his wrist, stopping him.
“What is it?” he asks, a small smile pulling at his lips.
A feel heat slick my forehead, knowing what we’re about to walk into. “I…I’m worried I’m pushing you too hard.”
Tobias laughs. “Look who’s getting the cold feet now, huh?” He cups the back of my neck with his hand.
“I’m serious.” I frown. “Just say the word and I’ll turn this car back around right now. No big deal.” I grip the steering wheel. I’ll never want to push Tobias past his limits in any way.
Tobias sighs, tilting his head, looking at me like I’m the precious one. Reaching for my hand, he takes it off the steering wheel and presses it against his heart.
“There’s loads to be scared of in this world, butliving…I don’t want to be scared of that. Not anymore.” He shakes his head. “I think…no, IknowI’m ready.”
My eyes dart all over his face, trying to see the slightest bit of hesitancy…but I see none. And if he’s telling me he’s ready, well, then I’ll need to believe him.
“Okay, but the moment you feel uncomfy, all you have to do is flick your nose like this,” I demonstrate, “and I’ll high-tail you right out of there.”
Tobias laughs, opening his door. “Okay, okay. Let’s go.”
We leave the car and I lead the way, holding Tobias’s hand up to the front door. It’s an hour before the restaurant opens on a Tuesday morning so the restaurant should be empty.
But, today, when we open the door and step through, the restaurant is anything but empty.
Excited cheers, claps, and “welcome back” variations echo through the dining room asJude’s Placestaff, our regulars with their families and the like, fill the dining room with signs, balloons and cards. Hell, even Tanya fromBloom & Brewand Detective Jameson and Houston are here to welcome him back.
“Wha—” Tobias’s mouth drops open as he takes it all in.
“If it were up to them, they would’ve been beside me at your hospital bed. They all missed you so much and were so worried. ” I laugh nervously.
With such a small town, what happened with Derrick spread like wildfire. My phone hasn’t stopped blowing up since. I’m surprised the local news hasn’t stopped by for an interview.
But, the only people here are the people who really do truly love and know Tobias for the angel he is.
Yasmin and the other hostesses have tears in their eyes as he walks through and I swear, I can even see Yari in the back corner wiping his face from the tears that have been shed.
It’s a room full of love. A room full of people who were terrified of losing him almost as much as I was…almost.
“E…”
I squeeze his hand. “You aresoloved, T.”
A breath of air leaves Tobias’s lips and I’m momentarily scared that I’ve broken him. I waver on this decision. Maybe itwastoo soon. This is a lot of people right away. I shouldn’t have done this. Fuck, I’m so—
“Thank you.” A shaky voice breaks through my thoughts. I suck in a breath as I look at him. He squeezes my hand as his eyes glisten. “Thank you.”
I feel a deep sense of love flood my veins.
He understands.
Of course,he’d understand.
