She looks up with a smile. “Her name’s Leleila,” she says before I have to figure a way to get it out of her.
I cock my head. “I know.”
“Well, color me surprised.” June’s eyebrows shoot up. “My sister’s not exactly the social type.”
“Leleila’s your sister?” I say, not able to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
I may be working for Big River when I’m here, but asking out the store owner’s sister is a level of complicated I can’t do.
But June just smiles wider. “You won’t get any pushback from me. I think you should go for it. My sister, on the other hand…” She trails off, but something in her tone makes my heart lurch.
“Is she…involved with someone?” I ask.
Please, please, say no. Please say she’s single.
June hesitates, and that’s when my chest starts to ache.
“She is.” I stuff my hands in my pockets.
“There’s somebody else, yes,” she says in a pinched tone like it pains her to have to admit it. “Although I’m far from convinced it’s a forever thing. So I would still go for it if I were you.”
I shake my head. “I won’t get in the middle of someone else’s relationship. Ever.”
“That’s not what I meant.” June purses her lips, looking like she’s choosing her next words carefully. “Let’s just say that I think you and Leleila could be good for each other. At least get to know her, Brayden. As friends. My sister acts like she doesn’t need anyone, but the thing is”—another long pause as she appears to again search for the right words—“Leleila could really use a friend right now.”
“I don’t…” I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t do female friends.”
“Well, maybe Leleila can be your exception.” June turns away from me, and I realize the conversation is over.
But as I go back to work, the words play through my head, and I can’t get them out—maybe Leleila can be your exception.
Chapter Four
Leleila
I’ve just barely stopped shaking by the time I walk in my front door. Grateful Phillip’s not home yet, I race upstairs to our bedroom.
When I open the closet door, I reach inside to the far back corner until I feel the firm brim I know so well.
I wrap my fingers around it and pull it onto my lap.
The cowboy hat Brayden gave me so long ago when he was trying to shield my cut face from the room full of partying drunk kids.
Through all my years at college, and graduate school, and moving in with Phillip, I never let go of it. I go to put the hat back, and my hand brushes something else long forgotten. My portfolio and my easel.
“Lei! Are you there?”
I shove the easel back into the closet and toss the hat on top, but I tuck the portfolio under one arm and plaster a smile on my face as Phillip walks into the bedroom. He’s wearing blue spandex bike shorts and a helmet.
“Hi!” I say. “How was your ride?”
Phillip shrugs as he takes off his helmet, revealing dark hair plastered to his head with sweat. “Pretty good. I got up to twenty-three miles per hour this time. Oh, and I entered the Keep the Forests race next weekend. It’s only a fifty miler, but it will be a great tune-up before winter comes.”
I walk closer and look up into Phillip’s dark eyes. He’s six foot three, so it’s difficult for me to see his face well when we’re both standing, but it looks like he hasn’t slept in days.
I stand on my toes to give him a kiss. “I’ll come to the race and cheer you on like I always do.”
“You sure you don’t want to bike it with me? It’s great exercise for a great cause. The proceeds go to the conservation of Montana’s rural forest lands.”
