I’m running on far too little sleep right now, but I’m happier than I’ve been in forever.
Brittany has been side-eying me all morning, but what am I going to say about this sudden change in personality? I’m with Willow, and we fucked in the park her brother works at last night? Yeah, no. I’d rather keep all of that to myself.
Speaking of Lennox, he could be an issue, but I think he’d be okay with me dating his sister, though. We get along, so that has to count for something, right?
Willow’s the most important Hutton to me either way, so however he reacts, I’ll deal with it.
Brittany starts tapping her nails on the counter, and I can feel her stare on the side of my face.
“Don’t even think about asking whatever is on your mind.” I shut her down.
“You don’t even know what I was thinking about. It could have been about … about Mabel and Alice’s new fixation.” She huffs.
I hold off my smirk. “You weren’t thinking about Mabel and Alice.”
“You know, for a coffee shop owner, you’re annoying as hell sometimes with how well you know people.”
Because it used to be my job.
I grunt in response because not even Brittany calling me on my shit is going to damper my good mood today.
The bell rings above the door and Lennox walks in, looking pissed as hell.
Might have spoken too soon about that good mood.
“Do you have a minute?” he practically growls.
I sigh and motion for him to head back to my office. “I’ll be back,” I tell Brittany before following Lennox.
I quietly shut the door and cross my arms, waiting for him to tell me why he’s pissed.
“Leave Willow alone,” he says when he finally stops pacing. My eyebrows shoot up, shocked at the audacity he has right now.
“Leave Willow alone?” I repeat.
“Look, I don’t think you’re a bad guy, but you have a past that doesn’t really seem to be so in the past. Leave her alone and don’t put her safety in jeopardy.”
“And you think you can just come in here and decide things for your sister—behind her back, at that—and I’ll just what? Do as I’m told?” I stand my ground. I see where his head is at, and honestly, I understand it more than he’ll ever know. I’m scared shitless to potentially be putting her in danger, but I also recognize that this is as much her choice as it is mine. Lennox coming in here and pulling a big-brother act won’t change her mind.
He scrubs his hand over his face. “Fuck. I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about...” He gestures wildly to me. “All of that shit, and it freaksme out. What if something happens? What if that asshole really finds you? That puts Willow in the direct line of fire and, Oakley, I’ve got to protect her.” The worry in his voice brings my guard down.
He’s doing what he thinks he has to in order to protect her, and I can’t fault him for that.
“Sit.” I walk around my desk and plop down as he does the same in the chair in front of me. “First, Willow decides what to do with her life. I don’t. If she chooses to be with me, which I’m fairly certain she does, then we have to accept that. She’s a grown-ass woman who is more than capable of figuring out what’s best for her. Second, I’m just as worried as you are.” I lean forward and meet his eyes. “You know I’ll protect her with my life, right?”
I need him to see I’m not only serious about her safety but about her as well.
“Fuck. This whole thing has my head so fucked up. How the fuck did you do this shit for a job?” He groans and drops his head back.
“Well, there’s a reason I don’t do it anymore.” I laugh humorlessly.
“I know, logically, she’ll be safe with you, but what if something happens? What if that asshole shows up here? I can’t lose her, Oakley.” His voice gets softer as he talks, and I second-guess every decision I’ve made in the last week.
Can I protect her?
Am I putting her in more danger by not holding her at arm’s length? I still don’t know.
“I don’t have all the answers, Lennox, but I can promise to do everything in my power to protect her at all times. And if something happens and I fuck up in any way, I give you full permission to beat the shit out of me.” I grin in an attempt to lighten the mood. We both knownothing with Tennison is in anyone’s control, but I will do everything in my power to protect her from it all, even if in the end that turns out to be from me.
