Aspen frowned. “There’s no window in here.”
“Sorry about that. I finish in less than two hours though.”
She nodded slowly. “So, what exactly did your brother text you?”
“That you ran into him at the grocery store. And that you looked scared.”
“Tattletale. And you told him to stay with me until I got to you.”
“Actually, he offered to drive you home,thenI texted him, telling him not to leave your side.”
“Humph.”
He inched closer. “What scared you?”
Her eyes widened before she blinked. “Nothing.”
He swallowed the disappointment. Was she not telling him because she was angry at him? Or because she still didn’t trust him? “I’m sorry I got angry about you walking to the grocery store.”
“You said that already.”
“I’m saying it again. And I’m sorry I made you feel like I didn’t want you last night.”
Her eyes flared. “You didn’t—”
“I did.” He stepped closer. “And Idowant you.”
Her chest rose, her lips parting to form an O.
He lowered his mouth to her ear. “And when the time’s right, Iwillhave you.”
The air that drew into her chest was sharp.
He kissed her on the cheek, letting his lips linger. “Text if you need anything.”
When he got back to the front desk, it was to see Luke talking to Bea.
Luke gave him a chin lift. “Hey. Aspen settle in okay?”
“As settled as she can be in that small room. Are you okay doing any callouts for the next couple hours so I can stay in the office near Aspen?”
“Sure. I’ll take Margot.”
“Thanks.” He went into his office. Now he just needed to keep his mind off Aspen and on his job.
Yeah, easier said than done.
He lifted his phone and texted his brother.
Jesse: Thanks again for driving her home.
Becket: Is she okay?
Jesse: Seems to be. You said she looked scared at the grocery store?
Becket: Not scared…terrified.
Jesse’s chest tightened. He leaned back in his seat, gaze on the door. So what had scared her? And why wouldn’t she tell him?
