I couldn't blame him for thinking that, and I knew it was the most logical result.But I wanted a different outcome, one where we could continue to be together and see where it went.But that was unlikely.
The mature thing to do was to put a stop to it, chalk it up to one night of weakness, and pretend it never happened.But I couldn't stop hope from seeping into my consciousness.It made the morning fly by.
Morgan said he was going to help clear out my apartment today, and I meant to stay away.I wasn't sure I was ready to deal with it, but I couldn't stop myself from walking by to check on the progress.
The stairs to my apartment were around the back, and my heart rate kicked up as I headed in that direction.There were several Sterling Brothers trucks parked out back.
Morgan was talking to his brother Maverick when I approached.He looked at me with concern."I didn't know you were planning to stop by."
I shrugged."I wanted to see how it was going and if you needed a hand."
Maverick moved away, probably to give us privacy.
Morgan placed his hands on my shoulders."Should you be here?I saw how you reacted to the damage in the kitchen."
I nodded."I couldn't stay away."
"My family showed up to help.Mom said she'd have your clothes and linens washed, and she'll return them when they're clean."
In other words, when they didn't smell like smoke anymore."I felt like I should be here, doing something."
He squeezed my shoulders, grounding me."I promise that we have this."
Aspen approached, exchanging a look with Morgan as he dropped his hands from my shoulders."Reina, want to grab a coffee?I'm in desperate need of caffeine."
"That sounds nice."I knew what she was doing, trying to distract me.
Morgan was worried about me, and it was clear that he had it handled.
"I promise that we'll take care of everything.Mom's washing your clothes, and everything else will be in boxes until you're ready to go through it."
"Let the guys handle this while we relax."Aspen winked at Morgan, and he walked off with a wave.
I smiled at her despite myself.Aspen had this easygoing, carefree way about her that was impossible to not like."I wish I could help, but I have a hard time being inside after the fire.And Morgan's worried about me being in the apartment because that's where I was when the fire happened."
Aspen gave me a sympathetic look as we walked toward Coffee Dreams."He's worried about you."
"I know he is."
She glanced over at me."Morgan was talking about doing some upgrades to your apartment too."
I frowned."But Eve didn't approve any upgrades to my apartment.We were focused on the bakery."
"It was just something he said.Maybe I got it wrong."
Morgan took care of me, and it was impossible to ignore the way it made me feel.I could do things myself, but Morgan stepped in so that I didn't have to.
Inside Meg's shop, we ordered our drinks and sat at one of the tables by the window.
"So what's going on with you and my brother?"Aspen asked.
I wrinkled my nose."I didn't expect you to ask about that."
She raised a brow."I'm nosy when it comes to my brothers.I don't want them to get hurt."
It wasn't any of her business, but I wanted to talk to someone who knew Morgan."We're roommates.He promised my brother he'd take care of me, and I guess offering me a room in his house was his way of doing that."
"But then you ran into each other in the bathroom, and one thing led to another?—"
