Topher paused, his arm tightening just slightly around my waist. For a second, I wondered if he’d been caught off guard. Then, as if he’d just thought of the funniest thing in the world, he grinned.
“Well, I couldn’t resist the way she almost mowed me down with a shuttle at the airport. Most women give me their number, but Kathleen? She tried to give me whiplash.”
Josephine laughed, and it was a full, joyful sound. Topher was good at this.
“And the way she yelled at me afterwards? That sealed the deal.” His voice was light, teasing, but with just the right amount of sincerity. “I thought, ‘Here’s a woman who’s not afraid to put me in my place.’ People don’t do that to me too often. They tiptoe around everything. But not Kathleen.”
He smoothed my hair, flashing a crooked grin that made my stomach flip. “I was a goner right from the start.”
Josephine turned to me. “And what about you? What made you fall for my son?”
I nearly choked on the air I was breathing. “Fall for him?” I stalled for a moment, wracking my brain. “Well, he’s tall, so he can always reach things on the top shelf, which is handy. And, he’s like a human encyclopedia. Doesn’t matter what the topic is. He always has an answer. He’s probably right ninety percent of the time, but believe me, he never doubts that other ten percent.”
Josephine clapped her hands, laughing. “Yes, yes! Exactly! Healwaysthinks he knows everything!”
Topher rolled his eyes, clearly outnumbered. “Hey, I’m right at least ninety-fivepercent of the time! You two are just ganging up on me.”
I grinned. “See? He can’t help himself. It’s part of his charm.”
But then I paused, my voice softening. “I think it’s how he drops everything for the people he loves. Like the way he came to New Orleans when he found out you were sick. And the way he looks at you in the hospital, as if nothing else in the world matters. I saw how he was completely overwhelmed, but he still tried to act calm for your sake. And I remember thinking… that’s the kind of person you want in your corner. Someone who shows up when it counts, even if they don’t know how to say it.”
Topher’s eyes flicked to mine, surprised and pleased. However, the moment was over almost as quickly as it had happened.
My phone buzzed loudly on the table. I glanced down, my stomach flipping again, but for entirely different reasons this time.
The loan company. Again.
I could feel the color drain from my face, and I was desperately trying to hide my anxiety. “I, uh, I need to take this. I’ll be right back.” I hurried outside, my heart pounding in my chest.
When I was out of sight, I answered the call, my hands shaking. The voice on the other end was cold and impersonal, reminding me of overdue payments and accruing interest. The weight of my debt pressed down on me like a heavy stone.
I tried to keep my voice calm, but the panic was rising. “I know... I just need more time. Please.”
After the call ended, I stood there, my back against the house, trying to steady my breathing. My hands trembled, and my mind raced. I needed a plan. I needed to fix this, but I wasn't sure how.
Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. Topher had followed me outside.
“Are you okay?” His voice was soft but full of concern.
I straightened, quickly trying to pull myself together. “Yeah, just financial stuff. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
His brows furrowed, and he took a step closer. “If you need help?—”
“No,” I cut him off, sharper than I intended. “I don’t need your help. I’ve got this.”
There was a beat of silence before I turned away, desperate to escape his concerned gaze. “I just need to clear my head. I’ll be fine.”
Without warning, Topher stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. His embrace was warm and firm, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my back.
I blinked in surprise. “Why are you hugging me?”
He leaned in, his voice low in my ear. “Just go with it. My mom’s watching.”
But something about the way he held me felt different. His heart was racing at first, his chest rising and falling a little too fast. Slowly, I felt him relax, his grip softening as if he was holding me not for show but because he wanted to.
I didn’t pull away.
His hand stroked gently up my back, and I closed my eyes, letting the comfort of his touch wash over me. I could feel his nose nuzzle my ear when he whispered, “Everything will work out. I promise.”
