She was hugging me, not trying to kiss me.My heartbeat slowed at that realization, and my arms came around her.
Joe walked in with a raised brow, and I lifted an arm to shoo him out.
With a nod, he turned and walked out.
He'd tell the other guys to stay outside.My crew had never walked in on me hugging a client.But I couldn't bring myself to step away or to put distance between us.She needed me.Not only had I told Tom I'd protect her, but I wanted to comfort her.
It was hard to lose everything to a fire.It was devastating to see the effects, even if logically you knew they were just things that could be replaced.She put her heart and soul into this business, and it couldn't be easy seeing it reduced to rubble.
When she lifted her head, I wanted to touch my lips to hers.My heart rate increased at the idea, but I couldn't give in to my desires.She needed me to be a rock, not make a move on her.I'd told Tom I'd take care of her, not take advantage when she was feeling weak.
Instead, I rubbed her back, hoping it was comforting.But the entire moment felt intimate.This was something I'd do for a girlfriend, not a friend.
She loosened her hold on my neck and dropped down to her feet."I'm sorry.I don't know what came over me."
I ran my hand through my hair, noticing the slight tremble.It took everything inside me to hold myself back from grabbing her wrist and pulling her against me."Let's go to Meg's and grab a coffee."I turned her toward the front door, which was still open, and out onto the sidewalk.There was fresh air here, but I was positive the smell of smoke still clung to my clothes.
On the sidewalk, she walked a step away from me."I could use some caffeine."
We walked in silence for a few beats before I asked, "How were sales this morning?"
The color was coming back to her cheeks."Good.Really good.We had a lull, and I thought I'd come down here to see how things were going.I didn't know I'd react like that.I've been so focused on the new bakery and my catering clients; I haven't thought much about the fire.Other than what the end result would be.I wasn't prepared."
"You should wait a few days.I'll let you know when the smoke smell is gone and everything is cleaned out."
"That's probably a good idea."She waved her hand at me."And I'm sorry I took advantage of you."
I laughed at that."How were you taking advantage of me?"
She nodded."It wasn't appropriate to hug you.You're my contractor.My roommate and my friend."
"You can use me anytime you want.I don't want you to be upset."My voice was rough as if I hadn't used it for a while.Seeing her tremble did something to me.It was like everything inside me had been rearranged and put back in the wrong order.
She flashed me a smile."It was a moment of weakness."
"We all have moments like that.It's not easy seeing everything you built destroyed.And I'm sure the smell brought back bad memories."
She paused on the sidewalk."I remember waking up to so much smoke.I panicked, worried that there was fire everywhere.But then I heard your voice, and I was relieved.Someone was coming for me.I wasn't alone.Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me again."
She shook her head."I'm so grateful to be here.To be alive.To even be thinking about rebuilding when it could have been so much worse.I could have been hurt.I might have even died."
"Hey."My tone was harsh because I wanted her to stop her ruminations.They weren't sending her to a good place."There's no point in going to worst-case scenarios, because that's not what happened."
"It's hard not to when you see the results of the fire.It could have been worse."
"But it wasn't."I drew her close, holding her hand."You survived, and you're stronger for it."
She shivered."What if it happens again?"
I shook my head."The electrical will be up to code, and we're installing sprinklers.We're installing all new fire alarms too."
She sighed."I feel safe with you in charge."
That sentiment hit me in the chest."I'll take care of everything.You don't have to worry."
She opened her mouth to speak, and I pressed a finger against her lips."No more thanking me."
