I settle back in my seat, nodding slowly. “There’s no rush. We’re doing this at your pace, and you can change your mind at any time.”
She makes a low sound of amusement. “You sound like you’re talking me out of it.”
“No!” I blurt quickly, and she looks at me, mouth twitching. “I just…I already fucked it all up once,” I say before adding dryly, “And I’m very much aware of not wanting to do that again.”
Gracie nods, her fingers twisting together in her lap, her expression unreadable. She doesn’t say anything for the longest time, but then tells me quietly, “I need to go back to work.”
I pause, mouth opening and closing as I try to makesense of the connection betweenusandwork. “Okay,” I say slowly. “Also something you don’t need to rush. Maryann understands. They got Onyx Security to install the new system and cameras, but that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll feel safe. Not after what happened.”
I make a mental note to chase up Nick and figure out if they’ve made any headway with finding Gerard. It won’t automatically fix anything, but knowing he’s behind bars might ease the fear.
“I know,” Gracie murmurs, “but Iwantto go back to work. And seeing you work through everything…” She clears her throat. “I’ve done therapy before, but I didn’t stick it out for long. I was thinking of trying again.”
“Because of the attack?” I ask cautiously. “I think that’s a good idea?—”
“Not just that,” Gracie interrupts, and I fall quiet, reaching out to press my hand to hers. She blows out a breath, closing her eyes. “I also think I need to deal with the issues my parents have graciously gifted me. I…” She licks her lips nervously. “I don’t want my first reaction to be to shut down anymore.”
“That wasn’t your fault,” I tell her firmly. I’ve said it before, but I’ll keep telling her until I’m blue in the face. “You were protecting yourself after I hurt you, Gracie. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know that.” I shoot her a dubious look and she gives me a mock-glare back. “I do,” she insists. “Anyway, I was thinking that I could book an appointment in Ashland, and that you could take me.”
I close my eyes, remembering a time when she offered to be there for me and I turned her down, knowing she’s giving me an opportunity that I stole from her.
“Afterwards,” Gracie continues quietly with a timid smile. “We could…”
I raise my eyebrows. “I need a little more, baby. Tell me what happens now.”
Her mouth twitches—just slightly. “Your serial killer percentage is 46.7%.”
“No kidding,” I murmur, biting back my own smile. “And what does that mean?”
“It means,” Gracie says slowly, her voice growing more steady with each word, “that you get one date.”
I inhale sharply, feeling my heart jumping around in my chest. “Yeah?” I ask hoarsely, and she bobs her head, eyes gleaming. I wet my lips, trying to calm the chaos in my mind to form a rational thought. “If you want me to be there when you book a therapy session, I will be,” I promise. “I can go in with you and hold your hand, or I can wait outside and hold you when you’re done. If you would feel better with Mom taking you, that’s okay, too.”
Gracie’s smile eases slightly, her shoulders dropping. “No, you’ll do.”
I chuckle at that. “Okay. But this won’t be our date.”
That makes her pause, eyes flaring. “It won’t be?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “This will be a friend supporting another friend going through something tough.” I lean forward, cupping her cheek, eyes locked with hers. “Our date will beus, starting fresh. I don’t want anything else clouding over it, reminding us of things that hurt.”
Gracie’s mouth parts on a silent gasp, her stormy eyes soft on mine—blue peeking through. “I like the sound of that.”
I press my forehead to hers, my chest tight enough that it feels like my ribs might actually crack. “Let me know,” I whisper. “As soon as you’re ready for it, let me know.”
CHAPTER 36
Braxton
There are only twenty minutes left until closing, and Blossom Boutique is quiet, only two people lingering in the shop.
It’s been four weeks since the attack, and one week since Gracie started back at work. When I can’t be here, Nick or my dad steps in to spend the last few hours with Gracie, Bridget, and Stacey, knowing none of them are feeling particularly safe right now…especially because Gerard still hasn’t been apprehended.
Gracie never asked for us to play bodyguard, but I would do anything to make sure she feels safe—anything that allows her to take her power back.
She’s in the workshop while Bridget is fussing with something at the counter, half-watching as Mrs. Chamberlain wanders past the flower fridgesagain, her expression only growing more forbidding with each passing minute.
