She laughed. Then she started talking about Bloom. About the seedling of an idea that had grown as a teenager who loved books and flowers and pastry. Of how she’d worked three jobs just to save up before the opportunity had finally presented itself.
And he listened. He soaked up every word because her voice was like a melody. Listening to her, hearing her story, her passion, made him want to stretch this moment out and hear more.
“Were you so motivated to be independent because of your mom?”
“Absolutely.” Some of that familiar spark returned to her eyes. “I couldn’t live in that house with her anymore. It was like a revolving door of men. We’d get into the biggest fights. I’d tell her that she didn’t need to rebound from one guy to another, and she’d yell back that it was her life and if I loved her, I’d supporther. But it’s hard to support someone when you know they’re going to get their heart broken.”
“And you were the one she sought comfort from afterward.”
Her gaze flashed up, and she frowned at him. “How did you know?”
“A gut feeling.”
“Yeah. I take care of her. Every time. Because even though I warn her, even though I beg her to just be single for a while, she’s still my mom and I want her to be okay.” Polly shook her head. “This all probably sounds so silly to you.”
“Why?”
“Well, according to certain articles, your parents are the Hiltons of Houston.”
His fingers tightened around his spoon. “Money doesn’t make a perfect family or upbringing. In my case, the opposite.”
“You didn’t get along with your parents?”
“They never wanted to be parents. They just wanted a kid they could control.”
“And that wasn’t you.”
It wasn’t a question. Still, he answered. “That wasn’t me.”
“I hate it when people have kids but aren’t prepared to really parent them the way they deserve. It’s why I’ll never have kids. I don’t want to mess anyone up.”
“Never?”
“Never. Marriage is a no too. I won’t ever rely on anyone else, and I don’t want anyone to rely on me.”
He’d never wanted marriage or kids either. But since meeting Polly…he could be convinced. “I want you to stay the night.”
She shot him a look. “Like sleep here?”
“Yeah, Sunshine, that’s what stay the night means.”
She opened her mouth, and he was sure the word “no” was about to pop out. Because in his mind, there was no way she’d agree.
He wanted her to say yes though. He wanted to know that she was sleeping under the same roof as him. That she was safe.
More silence passed before, finally, she nodded. “I mean…I thought that’s what we were doing when you rolled up here.”
He couldn’t help it—he laughed. “Good.”
11
Darkness. It was everywhere. Above her. Beside her. The world was so black that she couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face.
She blinked. Still darkness. She squeezed her eyes shut, opened them again. Nothing changed.
Her heart thrashed against her ribs, so loud it competed with the thick silence around her.
Where was she? And why couldn’t she hear anything? No car engines. No footsteps. Not even wind in the trees.
