“I can’t work remotely forever. My business is in New York. My life.” My chance to prove that I could make it in the city Jo had called home.
“Your family is here.”
“I’ll miss them, too.”
And Trey. The toothpick was back in my throat. I swallowed.
Phee regarded me, a dragonish gleam in her eyes. “Have you changed your mind about staying?”
No. Maybe. “Have you changed your mind about the loan?”
“Yes, I believe I have.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“The money is yours. My investment in you. You’ve earned it. No strings attached.”
“I... I don’t know what to say.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“I...Thankyou, Aunt Phee.” I flung my arms around her, making Polly wriggle and bark.
“You’re welcome. We’ll set up a meeting at the bank tomorrow.” She patted my back stiffly before stepping away. “Let’s go, Polly. This girl has dishes to do. And lots to think about.”
I put the food away and stacked the dishwasher, moving automatically, trying to sort my thoughts, bright and jumbled as the workroom scrap bin. I was washing the wineglasses when Trey came downstairs.
“How’s your grandfather?”
“Tired. Happy.” He smiled. “Lot of excitement for one night.”
He came up behind me, putting his arms around me to tug me against his chest. I leaned back, enjoying the warmth and angles of him.Excitement. Yes. It tumbled inside me, a kaleidoscope of colored shards. “I talked to Phee before she left.”
“She’s really something.”
I turned. “Yes. Trey...”
He took advantage of the change in our position to kiss me, a long, lush, indulgent kiss. I felt myself going under, my busy thoughts submerged in sensation.
“Thanks,” he said when we came up for air.
“Thankyou. Was I saying something before you turned my brain to mush?”
He grinned. “Phee.”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for bringing her.”
“She didn’t give me much choice.” I traced the line of his nose, distracted by its perfection. “Why do you think they never got together?”
He let me go, rolling up his sleeves, reaching for a dish towel. “They dated in high school. Maybe the timing was never right for them.”
Trey and Jo dated in high school.
“Or they weren’t right for each other,” I said.
“Or he went away and met somebody else.”
