He shakes his head. “I like it. I’m into astronomy myself, in a very amateur way.”
“Your parents aren’t alive?” I don’t know whether I should ask, but the brandy is making me brave.
“No, they died in a car wreck when I was a kid. We came to live with Aunt Bernadette here in Snowflake.”
“I’m sorry.” I hand the flask back and the tips of our fingers brush. An electric thrill rises up my arm and down to my core.
“Let’s get you home. It’s getting colder by the second.”
“Yes, I’m ready.” I wobble a little as I walk forward and Atlas reaches out to steady me, his arm around my shoulders.
“Woah there, little comet. I got you.”
When we’re outside, he closes the door. A big crate on the side of the door is pushed to one side. It must have toppled over when I went in.
He points up when we’re outside. “No comets, but the stars are bright tonight.”
His arm is still around my shoulders and despite the coldness of the night, I wish this would last forever.
Chapter Four
ATLAS
Once I’d taken Hailey back home last night, I told her to go inside to take a hot bath and get warm. We agreed I’d come back tonight to look at the dryer. I took the feisty little mutt, Huggy, back to the shelter. He stretched out in the back of the car with Ember, who seemed to think he was her long-lost puppy. She washed him thoroughly as he slept, unaware of all the trouble he’d caused, and then whined when I took him inside. Her eyes were baleful when I glanced in the mirror on the drive back.
Rhys calls me as I’m close to finishing today’s shift. I yawn before I pick up the phone.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey. Got some intel for me?” I rub my hand over my eyes. The door of my office is open and some of the guys are doing stock inventory. It’s been a slow shift. My mind’s been on Hailey, stuck between my attraction to her and the warning siren going off in my head that says she’s too young for me.
“Yep. Sienna was reluctant to tell me, since Hailey’s pretty private about her business, but I said I was worried about her. And that you’d keep an eye on her since you’re next door.”
“That makes me sound kind of creepy. The old guy in the house next door, who happens to be her landlord.”
“You’re notthatmuch older than her. How old are you, anyway? Sixty?” He chuckles.
“Screw you. I’m thirty-eight.”
“Exactly. She’s twenty-five. It’s not like a Leo DiCaprio situation. Anyway, I know you’re interested, even if you keep denying it. Your voice goes all goopy when you talk about her.”
“Goopy? Don’t you mean gooey?” I take a sip of my lukewarm coffee.
“That’s right. Seriously though, she has an ex who’s a real piece of work. From what Sienna’s told me, he’s just some loser she dated very briefly in the city when she worked up there. She had to block him on everything, he got nasty. It’s one of the reasons why she’s back in Snowflake. Had to leave her dream hairdressing job, Sienna said she’s been trying to find work ever since.”
My hand tightens into a fist. “Is this asshole still bothering her?”
“Sienna said he stopped for a while, but she doesn’t know. She’s going to call Hailey today.”
“Okay, I’m seeing her after work.”
“I knew it.Interested. Love comes for us all, buddy…”
“I’m fixing the dryer, Rhys.”
“Whatever you say. Bye.”
My jaw clenches at the idea of anyone trying to hurt Hailey. I bring my fist down onto the desk and my coffee cup almost falls on the floor. Ember sits up from her big bed in the corner and barks twice. Brock stands in the doorway as I reach out to catch it, his expression amused.
