I snagged Molly’s luggage before it skated by us. “She’s right.” The words were like marbles in my mouth. “We have a ton of fun stuff planned.”
“Who’s we?”
I led her by the hand toward the airport exit, rolling her backpack behind us with my other hand. “My… business partner. Nathan owns the house and the café with me. He’ll spend the weekend with us.”
“Is he yourboyfriend? Mom said you got rid of Jack.”
Got rid of Jack.Like I had him murdered.Thanks a lot, Kathy.I assumed Jack told her about the end of our relationship. I certainly didn’t.
We crossed the street to the parking deck, and I used the time to write and rewrite my response. “Jack and I are no longer together, but it was a mutual decision.”Sort of.I wouldn’t get into the details with her. “And that’s a great question, Molls. Why don’t you ask Nathan?”
Nathan and I spent each day of our last week consumed in each other. I’d barely slept and worked through the exhaustion. But as soon as we got home and shut out the world, energy zinged through me and I came back to life.
So did Nathan. I looked forward to seeing the unmistakably happy smile when it became only us. I didn’t want to bring up questions of the future and cause his smile to slip. I did wonder whether we would continue whatever we were doing after the house and business sold, and how exactly we’d make it work, living hundreds of miles away from each other.
Maybe Molly’s curiosity would get me some insight into Nathan’s thought process.
Molly gasped when she realized the house all lit up for Christmas was ours. My heart leaped at the awe on my little sister’s face… and also because Nathan knew the importance of this first impression with her. He strode out of the house as soon as we arrived, probably waiting at the window for our return. He told me he’d prove he could be the partner I needed, and he was off to a great start.
“Hey,” I greeted, a little breathless from the emotions swelling in me.
Molly and I stopped in front of Nathan at the end of the walkway. We hadn’t been apart long, but I still fought an instinct to run into his arms.
He glanced over my shoulder. “You don’t need help bringing stuff in?”
“Nope,” I said, popping the P. “We’re good. Molly, this is Nathan. Nathan, this is my sister, Molly.”
Nathan squatted until they were eye level. He stuck his hand out and shook hers gingerly. “Very nice to meet you, Molly. Brenna has told me all about you.”
“What has she said?” Suspicion underlined her words.
He tapped the brim of her baseball cap. “That you’re the biggest Palmer City Wolves fan out there.”
“They’re the best.” Molly bobbed her head in agreement. “Doyouplay hockey?”
“Afraid not,” Nathan answered, his voice apologetic.
Dammit if it didn’t make my insides glow, knowing he was trying to make a good impression on her. It was more than I could have hoped for.
“I play baseball.”
“Like Brenna.” Her hand tugged on mine. “I think baseball is boring.”
Nathan straightened to his full height. “I’ll try not to hold it against you.”
“That’s what Brenna says too!” Her voice rose, looking accusatory, like maybe we’d coordinated our answers. “My sister wants to know if you’re her boyfriend.”
Oh, Molly, you little snot.
“I’d like to be.” His eyes found mine, and a hurricane brewed in my stomach. Nathan said to Molls, “Maybe before you leave, you can tell me whether you think it would be okay.”
I was so gone for this man. Far past the point of no return.
I slipped into bed beside Nathan, curling my body around his and allowing his warmth to seep into my skin. His fresh laundry and bubble gum scent surrounded me.Home. The word clanged around in my mind as my body relaxed against him.
Nathan’s head twisted over his shoulder to look at me. Hazy-eyed, he mumbled, “Brenna?”
“Expecting another woman?”
