“I will absolutely hold you to that. Fuck, I’m sorry. That was such a dickhead move to come in here and demand shit. Don’t tell Willow. She’ll skin me alive.”
And just like that, the bulk of the tension dissipates.
We both chuckle, knowing she would kill both of us if she knew this conversation was taking place.
“I really like her, Len, and I won’t take advantage of the fact that she seems to be on the same page. I just want to make her happy,” I confess to him. He’s the closest thing I have to a friend here, and with him being her brother, I want him to know I’m not just fucking around with her.
“I know. It’s written all over both of your faces. It’s really annoying,” he deadpans ,and I chuckle. There’s the little-brother attitude. I’m glad it’s alive and well.
“I’ll remember you said that when you get close to a woman,” I smirk.
“Yeah, you do that.” He stands and walks over to me. Cuffing my shoulder, he looks at me sincerely. “I’m sorry for pulling this shit. I’ll admit, I looked up Tennison after we talked on the trail, and it freaked me out.”
As it usually does.
“Understandable. Just know, I’m keeping updated on the case, and if something is going to affect the town or your sister, I’ll fill you in. I will admit it’s kind of fun seeing you in the protective-brother act.”
“Whatever. I’m going to get a coffee. Text me if you want to work out later. I’m off today.”
He turns and leaves my office, and I slump back in my chair.
My good mood is all but gone because he’s not wrong.
If something happens, if Tennison finds me, can I truly protect Willow?
Chapter 19
Wllow
Three days.
I have three days to finish this fucking book, and I feel like I’m drowning.
I wrote for hours after Oakley fucked me in the park and then left. Since then things have been … robotic. I feel like I’m writing what I should and not what the story actually is. It’s got all the pieces I usually put in, and yet I fucking hate it.
I’ve been taking things slow with Oakley as well. After our … park incident, things were intense, and I felt like I had too much going on all at once. We discussed taking things slowly, especially while I finished this damn book. But right now? All I want to do is walk down to Grind Time and be in the same room as him. I need to feel that sense of calm that only he brings me.
So, that’s exactly what I do.
Loading up all my shit takes far too long for me, and by the time I’m walking toward the coffee shop, I’m antsy and flustered.
“Good aft— Willow.” The relief and happiness on Oakley’s face make my heart rate speed up.
Taking things slowly was a terrible idea. Good job, Will.
“Hi.” I throw my hand up in an awkward wave. I take a quick look around and see two teens in one corner, but otherwise the place is empty.
Sure, we’ve talked, but it’s been a couple of days since we’ve actually seen each other, and it suddenly feels like this giant chasm is between us. I hate everything about it.
“What sandwich do you want today, Will?” he says softly, already working the espresso machine for my latte.
“Umm, surprise me.”
We stare at each other for a second before I shift and move to sit at a table in the opposite corner from the teens.
Oakley comes over five minutes later and sits down at the table.
“I’ve missed you,” he says with a smile. “How’s writing going?”
