She cared about him more than she’d ever planned to care about anyone again. But nothing had been defined. Nothing labeled.
What wouldhesay if the guys asked him the same question?
“I—” Fern swallowed. “I guess…kind of?”
Juliette nodded like that was answer enough. “Sounds like Crew is a lot like the rest of the guys around here. They know what they want but forget to tell you.”
Fern laughed softly, grateful for the lack of pressure.
Juliette flipped a page in the notebook. “Theo and I didn’t start with labels either,” she said casually. “He was my bodyguard.”
Fern’s head snapped up. “Really?”
“Really.” Juliette’s mouth curved. “I had a stalker. Theo was assigned to keep me safe. We fell madly in love in the process.”
Fern’s heart thudded.
“Theo’s helping me too,” she said quietly. “Someone’s…following me.”
Juliette didn’t hesitate. She closed the notebook and turned to Fern, wrapping her in a fierce hug.
Swallowed by the warm display of friendship and expensive perfume, Fern felt the sting of tears at the backs of her eyes again.
“You’re in the right place, Fern.”
The certainty in the woman’s voice broke something open and solidified what she’d thought back in the greenhouse when Marla made her feel she had found her rightful place in the world.
Now, she had the right people too.
Fern held on, letting herself believe it.
Later, as the women continued to talk and laugh, Fern leaned back and watched them, her chest full in a way she wasn’t used to. She’d never imagined this—new friends and something that felt shockingly close to family.
She never thought she’d trust again, let alone love.
She was still blinking away lingering tears when she felt a familiar presence behind her.
“Hey.”
She turned to find Crew standing there, brow furrowed, concern etched into his face.
He leaned close. “Why are your eyes glassy?” He scanned the group behind her, jaw tightening. “You were crying. Were they mean to you?”
She sniffed and shook her head, a laugh slipping out. “No. They were…wildly nice.”
Relief flashed across his face, followed by something softer.
“Oh.”
She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. “They think I’m going to be around.”
He squeezed her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “So do I.”
And for the first time, Fern believed it might actually be true.
Chapter Fourteen
Crew guided Fern’s newly repaired car in front of Fern’s place and cut the engine. She was expecting him to come in, but he took a moment, just listening to the rain tapping the roof and watching it spatter on the windshield and soaking in the moment.
