Joy beams up at me. "I'm afraid to get my hopes up there. But maybe… "
Screw everyone looking. I'm not going to miss this romantic moment.
I tip her chin up with my fingertip as I give her a gentle kiss. "Get your hopes way up, sugar. And leave them there.”
18
JOY
I’m a feather as we walk out of the café. A liquid feather, simultaneously melting and floating.
Walking out with Bear's arm around my shoulders makes me feel like a princess.
Honestly, it’s pretty rarely that men have openly hit on me in the past. Maybe it's happened twice today because there really is a shortage of women here on the mountain. Or – this feels more likely – maybe they're noticing me because I'm all lit up from the inside and smiling more because of Bear, and the incredible new emotions he has stirred up in me.
His arm gently gives me another squeeze as we walk toward his truck. This closeness might be very immediate, but it feels like a good sign. Not to mention, I also love the deep, gut-level reaction I have to him acting possessive like this…even if it’s in public, and will make people talk about him, which he hates.
“What the hell, Joy?”
A yell from across the parking lot tears me from my bubble of happiness.
Carl comes charging toward us. He grabs my wrist and yanks me away from Bear. “Who the fuck is this guy, and why?—”
“Carl, stop!” I try to pull away, but he has me in a vice-like grip. “Let me go!”
“No. I’m not letting you take off with some random asshole?—”
Bear’s growl and the glare he shoots my older brother make Carl flinch. “Let go of her. Now.”
Bear steps between us, rearranging his expression into a calm mask and clearing his throat. Then he turns to me, as if trying to read my mind. It’s almost like how he hesitated before lifting me in the forest when we first met.
His deep voice is quiet enough that only I can hear. “This is your call, Joy. I could be polite. I could step away and give you two room to argue. I could also knock him into next week. You're the one in charge, sugar. Tell me what you need.”
My heart had been racing. Now it levels out. “How do you always know exactly what I need to hear?”
“Because you're my person. So… Tell me what you want.”
Before I can answer, Carl bellows, attacking Bear’s back. Then he squeals in shock as Bear spins at lightning speed, lifts him by the jacket, shakes him twice, and pins him against the truck.
Another growl almost shakes the pavement beneath us, then Bear stops and glances in my direction. “Joy, what do you need me to do?”
A wave of contentment flows through me as all the tension in my life simply evaporates. Carl has always treated me as an afterthought, an annoyance, or at best, an inconvenient but necessary roommate. Bear has treated me with nothing but love and respect from the second we first locked eyes.
“Let him go. We’ll see if he can be polite,” I say firmly. “If he misbehaves again, do whatever you like.”
Bear nods as Carl’s eyes fly wide, and his mouth twists.
“Let’s start again, shall we?” Bear releases him, stepping back as his hand lands heavily on my shoulder, then begins rubbing in gentle, comforting circles. “You must be Joy’s brother Carl.”
I can’t believe how calm he is, considering that Carl is practically snarling at him and a crowd is gathering, with all eyes riveted on us.
“That’s right,” Carl spits. “And who the hell are you? If you’re the guy she’s been hanging out with, I need some answers immediately, asshole.”
“Watch your mouth in front of my lady,” Bear snaps. His hand extends toward Carl. “I'm Emerick Wolfe, but you can call me Bear.”
Carl’s mouth falls open for a second, then he starts blinking rapidly. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Wolfe,” he sputters. “I had no idea?—"
"Really, it's just Bear.” He pauses. “If all goes well, you’re going to be my brother-in-law someday,” Bear says bluntly. “So we’re going to get along, for Joy’s sake. Even though it’s questionable that you’re only concerned for her wellbeing when it’s convenient for you. You have her living in a dark basement while you have the best part of the house. You won’t lend her the car to take a vacation. Don’t get me started on you not even checking on her when she’s camping alone.”
