Was that true? Could her mother have really met her person? After the dozens of men who’d broken her mother’s heart, the idea seemed inconceivable. “Thank you. For everything. Forletting me stay here and looking after me and filling me with food when eating was the last thing I felt like doing.”
“You did the same for me when I needed someone.”
Polly hugged her. They were friends, but they were really more. They were sisters. Family.
When Maggie left the room, Polly took a quick shower, then threw on jeans and a black tee.
She hadn’t been expecting to feel nervous about going to work, but the second she got into the vehicle, a new tightness pulled at her chest. It was Maggie’s car. Hers was still with the mechanic. The only good news she’d received these last few days was that it was fixable.
Good—she didn’t have the energy to go out and find a new one.
She tightened her fingers around the wheel at the memory of the crash, gaze going to the rearview mirror.
You’re okay, Polly. No one’s behind you.
When she finally reached the shop, air rushed from her chest in a long exhale. That relief lasted all of three seconds…until she saw him.
Joel.
He stood near the door to Bloom, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
God, he looked good. Big and strong and so damn lovable.
Jesus, she needed a cage around her heart, or at least a lockbox.
She swallowed hard and climbed from the car. “What are you doing here?” She was careful to not look him directly in the eye. One look and she’d drown in those brown-green eyes.
“I’m just here to talk.” His raspy voice slid over her skin, skimming goose bumps down her arms.
It took three goes to get the key into the lock. Maybe because of his raw, earthy scent. Maybe because she was so aware of howeasy it would be to turn and wrap her arms around him. When she finally unlocked the door, she stepped inside and crossed the café, her steps almost a jog.
Dammit. Pull it together, Polly. He’s just a man.
“We were never engaged.”
“She thought you were. Your mother gave her the ring.” She stopped at the counter, took a breath and turned. Yep, one look and she wanted to close that distance between them and fall into his arms. She clenched the edge of the counter behind her with an iron grip. “What am I missing?”
“The part where I never agreed.” He stepped closer, his hands in his pocket, his biceps visibly twitching. “I was ten when my parents decided that I’d marry Bronte Simmons. Because it would be good for business to consolidate power. To leverage mineral rights without contracts. I learned very young that my parents don’t actually love me. I don’t think they even know what love is. They only care about what I can do for them and their business.”
Her heart gave a little squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
The next step brought him so close, she could see the specks of green in his eyes. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I rebelled. I joined the military. Had flings with women but never dated anyone long term. You’re the first person I’ve ever let in, Polly. The first person I’ve ever loved.”
This time, her heart didn’t just squeeze—it folded and flipped, the beats taking off in a rhythm that was too fast to recognize. “Love?”
“Yes, Sunshine. I love you. And I can’t lose you.”
Fear made her want to step back, but there was nowhere to go. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. Say you’ll give this thing between us a chance.”
A part of her wanted to. She wanted to be reckless and fearless and throw herself into this thing between them.
But the other part? The other part was so aware that this man could ruin her that she wanted to run. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“Because we were new. And I didn’t want anything to rock us.”
“That’s not a good reason to omit such important information.”
