“She wanted to go for a walk with Indie to buy some flowers from Mildred.” She’d been going to the florist daily since the place had reopened. His house was starting to look like a competing florist.
“And you weren’t invited?” Jesse asked, as he and Aspen took their seats at the table.
“No. Apparently, I’ve beenhovering.” What the fuck evenwashovering? He’d been staying close to her because she’d just experienced something really damn traumatic. And yeah, maybehe was a bit traumatized too, and the staying-close part was as much for him as it was for her.
Aspen looked up at Jesse, eyes sparkling with humor. “We’ve been there.”
“Absolutely,” Sky agreed, bumping Becket’s shoulder. “But we know you guys mean well.”
“Hell yes, we do.” Becket nodded.
Jesse chuckled before turning back to Holden. “How’s it going with Clara moving into your place?”
“Good. Her client room at the front of the house is almost done. I’m hoping it’s starting to feel like home for her.”
“And you’re still on track to sell Clara’s place by the end of the month?” Aspen asked.
“We’ve already had a couple of offers.” When they’d been deciding whose house to live in, Clara said she wanted it to be his. She’d decided that she needed a fresh start somewhere new.
He didn’t care where the hell they lived as long as it was together.
The group around him started to talk about what they were ordering, but his gaze went back to the window.
What was taking her so long?
He’d told himself he wasn’t going to message her, but right now, he didn’t care. He wanted to hear from her, even if it was just through a text.
He lifted his cell.
Holden: Are you close?
The three dots immediately appeared.
Clara: Just leaving the florist now, lilies in hand.
Holden: I bought you lilies yesterday.
Clara: I know, but you bought me red lilies. These are pink.
Holden: Pink and red are basically the same color.
Clara: They absolutely are not. I’ll see you in ten.
Holden: Straight here.
Clara: Yes, Mr. Protective.
He was, and he wasn’t even sorry about it.
“Is she on her way?” Jesse asked, as Holden set his phone down.
“Ten minutes.”
“Good.” A crease formed between Jesse’s eyes. “How areyoudoing?”
“Probably as well as you. What happened to her was hard on all of us.”
“Yeah, I’m not good either.” Jesse scrubbed a hand over his face. “This better be the last damn thing like this in our town for a while. When I took this job, I was told my days would be filled with traffic violations and domestic disputes.”
