“Thank you for the offer. I’m not sure there’s really anything anyone can do. Unless you happen to have a spare hundred and fifty grand lying around.” Her laugh wasn’t exactly humorous.
Bree cocked her head. “Why a hundred and fifty thousand?”
“That’s about what it would take to refurbish a new location, purchase new inventory, and have enough solvency to operate for the first year.” She pressed the palms of her hands into her brows and rubbed out. It made her head hurt just thinking about it. And her chest and her stomach. Her entire body rebelled at the idea of having to ask the bank for another loan.
She dropped her hands and caught the odd expression on Bree’s face. She shouldn’t have brought up money. It was one of those social norms she’d never understood.
“Anyway, that’s probably not what you came by to talk about.”
“Right.” Bree shifted her weight and stood a little straighter. “It’s about Tim.”
Ooh. “Bree—”
“I know it’s probably none of my business, but Tim is going to be family and he’s a really good guy. He’s one of the best.”
“Bree—”
“I think you should give him another chance. He may come off as kind of controlling, but that’s just him trying to take care of everyone. He’s a protector. It’s in his blood. Jase joined the Army and Tim joined the police force because he wants to protect those he—”
“Bree! I know. I was leaving to go apologize to him.”
“Oh.” Bree’s shoulders sagged as if all the hot air had been let out of her.
“I didn’t handle the situation well after the fire. I wanted to be alone and lick my wounds for a while and I kind of lashed out at Tim in the process. I know he meant well, but I— I just hope it’s not too late.”
Bree shook her head and gave her a lopsided smile. “I wouldn’t be here if I thought it was too late.”
“That’s good to know,” Zoe said. “So I’m going to go…” She raised her eyebrows and pointed at the door.
“Right! Sorry.” Bree walked to the foyer and paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Listen, something else that probably isn’t any of my business, but I have a couple of friends that work at the bank. If you want an introduction, I’m happy to help.”
Zoe inhaled and exhaled some of her pride. She was going to need help. She couldn’t do it all on her own this time and she needed to admit that, at least to herself. “Thank you. I may take you up on that offer. I need to make some calls first.”
“I understand. Let me know. I don’t want to lose the opportunity for a friends and family discount at a bookstore.” She winked and let herself out the door.
Zoe waved as she got in her car, then looked over at Tim’s house. His truck was in the drive which meant he was home. Which meant letting go of even more of her pride. More than help, she needed someone in her corner who believed in her.
And Tim did.
* * *
Zoe knockedon the door and folded her arms. She uncrossed them and put her hands in her pockets. Her stomach rolled and she didn’t know if it was residual alcohol or the fear that he wouldn’t answer the door.
The handle turned and her stomach rolled again. Fear and nervousness then.
“Hey,” he said.
“I’m sorry. About the other day. I was…I was a lot of things, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You were trying to help and I—”
His mouth on hers cut her off. His arms banded around her and lifted her onto her toes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he picked her up and backed into his house.
The door slammed behind them as he set her back on her feet. His hands cradled her head and he eased off the kiss, dropping his forehead to hers.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Why are you sorry?”
“For assuming you needed taking care of. For trying to swoop in and make everything better. I have a bad habit of thinking I know what’s best for the people I care about.” He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “And I care about you very, very much, Zoe.”
