He’s not rushing.
He’s not scrambling for his jacket.
He’s settling.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I hum noncommittally.
He tilts his head so he can see my face. “That didn’t sound like yes.”
“I am,” I say. “I just forgot how intense you are.”
His mouth twitches. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be one.”
He laughs softly.
I shift slightly, trying to get comfortable without making the moment heavier than it already is. I don’t think I’m succeeding.
“You’ve done a lot with this place,” he says. “I hope you don’t mind, I took a little look around the property on my way here. ”
I stiffen before I can stop myself.
He notices immediately.
“Sorry,” he says. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I just—” I hesitate. “It’s a work in progress.”
“You shouldn’t downplay it.”
I sit up, tucking the blanket around myself. “It’s old. And expensive. And constantly trying to fall apart.”
“You’re keeping it alive.”
Barely.
“I don’t really have a choice,” I say.
Dane studies me for a long moment. Too long.
“Gina,” he says carefully, “have you ever thought about?—”
I tense.
Here it comes.
“…bringing in help?”
I blink. “Help?”
“Not charity,” he adds quickly. “Investment. Partners. Grants. Anything.”
My shoulders draw up around my ears. “I manage.”
“I know you do. I’m not saying you can’t. I’m saying you don’t have to do everything alone.”
