“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you we might run into people I knew from before,” I apologized after pressing my lips to his.
“Why didn’t you?” He sounded hurt. When I opened my arms, he entered my embrace and rested his head against my chest. “I wouldn’t have thrown a tantrum about it, but being blindsided sucked.”
“Yeah, I can see that now. If it helps, Amy read me the riot act for not giving you a heads-up,” I admitted. “She’d love to meet you later if you’re willing. I know it’s probably awkward as fuck for you, so don’t feel like you have to say yes.”
“Teddy, you and Patrick were together a huge chunk of your lives. It makes sense you’d still want to spend time with them. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to be cut off from part of my family.” Shiloh visibly shuddered. “Why don’t we go and get the introductions out of the way? If everyone’s willing, we could even more our blanket closer to theirs.”
I officially had the world’s best boyfriend.
As it grew closer to dusk, everyone started making their way to the edge of the lake where the fireworks would be lit. With a final kiss on the cheek, Shiloh pulled me to the blanket. My nephews—and Amy insisted theywerestill my family—eyed us carefully. It had to be weird to them, seeing me with someone who wasn’t their uncle.
Shiloh pulled a pack of sparklers out of his backpack. “Hey boys, you want to go over there and we can light these?” He pointed to a clearing away from the crowd where other kids were doing the same.
“Can we, Mom?” the boys asked in unison. She waved them away as she tried masking a yawn, and Shiloh led them through the crowd like the Pied Piper. He seemed so natural in these situations, like he belonged here in this small town celebration, and I felt grateful that he was at my side.
“He’s a good one.” Until she said the words, I hadn’t realized how much I hoped for Amy’s approval. “Try not to screw it up.”
“Didn’t try with the last one,” I pointed out. It was the closest either of us had come to addressing the divorce. She’d proven true to her word that no one expected me to stay away just because Patrick and I weren’t together anymore.
“No, you sure didn’t. The two of you were idiots for thinking you had any business getting married.” Without the frenzy of finally being allowed to marry after so many years being viewed as less-than by the government, I was pretty sure Patrick and I would both agree with her. “You’re different with him. In a good way.”
“Thanks, Sis.” I walked over to where she sat in a lawn chair and kissed the top of her head. With my dad gone, I’d resigned myself to living the rest of my life without family. Now, I saw I wasn’t nearly as alone as I thought.
My breath caught in my throat as vibrant colors illuminated the sky above us. Rockets flew upwards before exploding into vibrant bursts that left trails glittering down to earth below them. Once they were done with sparklers, Shiloh squeezed me close as I leaned against him with awe written all over my face.
This was exactly why I’d come here tonight, for moments just like this one that made all other worries fall away from me, leaving me feeling completely at peace beneath glittering stars above us and bright fireworks lighting up the night sky before us.
By midnight we were both exhausted but satisfied by our full day out together, so much so that Shiloh passed out before the traffic in heading out of the park dispersed. I watched him sleep, wondering when in the hell I’d settled into being one half of a couple.
16
TEDDY
“Teddy,you have to get here quick! The bakery’s on fire!” Shiloh’s frantic voice pierced the silence of the night. I bolted upright in bed, instantly wide awake. “I don’t know what happened, but I just got a call from the alarm company.”
“Shiloh, are you all right?” I asked, fear gripping me as I leaped out of bed. The how and why didn’t matter. I needed to get to him.
“Y-yes, I’m fine, but please hurry,” he stammered. “The whole place is engulfed in flames.”
“I’m already heading out the door. Stay where you are,” I said, my heart pounding as I hung up and fumbled for the jeans I’d tossed over my desk chair. Shiloh was strong-willed and independent, but the thought of him facing his burning bakery alone sent shivers down my spine.
As I pulled on my jeans, an image of Shiloh crossed my mind—his dark, warm eyes that seemed to see straight through me. Those eyes always eased my self-doubt, but now I couldn’t shake my concern for him and the life he’d built.
“Focus, Teddy,” I whispered, grabbing my keys and rushing out the door. The cold night air struck me, but I hardly noticed as I sprinted to my truck. All that mattered was getting to Shiloh.
If the cops wanted to pull me over for speeding through town, they could write the ticket once I was with Shiloh.
“Please be okay,” I muttered, attempting to stifle my panic. I needed to be strong for Shiloh. He wasn’t one to accept help or comfort easily, but now he needed someone by his side more than ever.
The night sky glowed orange even blocks away. Rounding the corner onto Main Street, the smell of smoke filled my nostrils and dread clenched my heart. The sight before me was something I could never have prepared for, and all I could do was focus on finding Shiloh, the man who made me feel truly alive. If I felt this overwhelming loss because our relationship had started there, I couldn’t imagine what Shiloh was going through.
The heat of the flames contrasted sharply with the chilly night air, and the intensity made my heart race faster. The fire’s glow cast eerie shadows on Shiloh’s stricken face as he stood helplessly outside the burning bakery.
“Shiloh!” I called, rushing to him. Fear threatened to engulf me, but I clenched my fists, resolved to be strong for the man who had brightened my life.
“Teddy,” he croaked, his voice nearly lost in the roar of the fire. “Everything... it’s all gone.”
He flinched away when I touched his arm, hoping to offer some comfort. Tears streamed down his face. It broke my heart to see him so vulnerable and raw.
