“Dani, wait,” he pleaded. “Don’t leave. Give me another chance.”
“Beau, enough. It’s over.”
His face darkened for a moment before he smoothed his expression. I didn’t trust him. Whatever his plan for tonight, this outcome threw him.
I gave him my back and gestured for her to precede me to my house. My heart thudded as I followed her up the driveway. Beau’s stare bore into me the entire walk.
“Use your key.” I pitched my voice low enough he wouldn’t hear.
Dani had my spare key. A few days ago, she agreed to wait for my new stove to be delivered, and I told her to keep it for emergencies. With hands that trembled slightly, she drew her keys out of her purse and made a big show of unlocking the door. Beau growled before he stomped away.
Once we got inside and shut the door, Dani slid to the floor and buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook, and my heart sank with eachmuffled sound. Shit. I didn’t know how to fix this. Had I fucked things up or made them worse?
When her head lifted, her eyes glittered with tears. My heart seized. Despite my best efforts, I hurt the person I cared about most. My mind whirled as I tried to figure out how to fix it.
To my shocked, she laughed, free and loud.
“That was amazing.Youwere amazing. One minute, he trotted out all my worst thoughts about myself, and I was trapped in a version of me I hated but couldn’t escape. The next, he was gaping at you like a fish. And you stood there, calm as anything, while he lost his mind. It was so perfect.”
Her laughter rang out again, and I stared in wonder and relief. I hadn’t ruined it all. Then she frowned.
“He’ll know soon enough I don’t live here. Sierra Rose Ridge loves to gossip.”
I forced my shoulders to rise and fall with a casualness I didn’t feel.
“You’ll have to move in. At least until you find something better.”
She stared at me from her spot on the floor. Doubt filled me again at her continued silence. God, I was such an idiot.
Of course, Dani didn’t want to live with me, especially in this house. We finally finished the floors a few days ago, but the kitchen was barely usable. The only furniture was a few folding chairs and the mattress on the floor in my room.
“Are you serious?” she asked at last. “I can move in here?”
“Of course. You’re my BFF, remember?”
Her smile blinded me.
“You’re the best. It’ll only be until I find something else. I promise I won’t cramp your style, either.”
I snorted at her words, and her eyes twinkled.
“I mean if you change your mind about dating,” she said.
“I won’t.”
“If you do, let me know, and I’ll make myself scarce. But while I’m here, I can help you get this place livable.”
At my confused look, she laughed. Joy suffused me at the carefree, happy sound, and I snatched it out of the air to keep it for myself.
“Jake, you don’t have any furniture or dishes.”
“Hey, I have dishes.”
“Paper plates don’t count as dishes.”
“If I can put food on them, it counts.”
Her giggle washed over me, and my shriveled heart clanged a warning sound. Dani living here would be hell on me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
