They sat like that for a while, comfortable in the silence. Brooke’s hand rested on Tyler’s knee, his fingers playing with the ends of her hair.
“I’m obsessive,” Brooke said suddenly. “When I get focused on something, I can’t let it go. Training plans, work schedules, whatever. I fixate until it consumes me. It’s not healthy.”
“Everyone has things they struggle with.”
“But mine affects other people. I get so wrapped up in training that I push everyone away. My dad complains he barely sees me. Phil gets tired of my constant talk about mile splits and nutrition. Even the running club gets sick of me, and they know better than anyone else how it is. Steph has run several ultramarathons and has her own level of obsessiveness, and I even drive her crazy.”
“They still love you. They all called this morning.”
“I know. But I scared them. I scared myself.” Brooke lifted her head to look at him. “I’ve made myself a promise that this time I’m not going all looney bin.”
The air between them shifted. Brooke became acutely aware of how close they were, how his hand felt against her skin, how his eyes had gone darker.
She leaned in.
The kiss was different from the ones before. Deeper, more certain. His hand slid into her hair, careful of her bandage. Her fingers found his jaw and traced the line of it.
When they broke apart, she reached for him again. Their faces were inches apart. “I’m falling for you,” she said, her voice shaky. “I’m really falling for you, and it scares me.”
“Why does it scare you?” He pulled back, his face tightening.
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m not saying . . . it’s just . . . it’s been a while since I had anything resembling a relationship.”
“I’m scared too,” Tyler admitted. “Terrified, actually. What if being near me puts you in danger? What if yesterday’s attack was because of me?”
Brooke took his face in both hands. “Then we’re both scared. But I’d rather be scared with you than safe without you.”
Tyler pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her like he could shield her from everything outside this moment. “I’m not going anywhere. I’d like us to be together. Get to know each other better.”
“I’d like that, too,” Brooke agreed.
They stayed on the couch, talking and not talking, the conversation flowing naturally from serious topics tolighter ones. Tyler told her about funny things that happened at the garage. Brooke shared stories about difficult customers and the time someone tried to order a pizza at the coffee shop. They took breaks from talking to share kisses like love-starved teenagers.
Then a knock at the door shattered the peace.
Chapter 22
Tyler
The knock came again, harder this time.
“Probably a delivery guy or something,” Tyler muttered as he got to his feet.
“On Sunday?” Brooke asked. He caught his own unease mirrored in the wary look she gave him.
“Missionaries?” he said, trying to use a light tone but failing miserably.
She reached for his hand. “Let me answer.”
“Nah.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ve got it. You rest.”
He crossed to the door and looked through the window.
Adam stood on the porch with two other deputies Tyler didn’t recognize. All three wore their uniforms, badges catching the sunlight. Their expressions were serious, official.
Tyler’s stomach tightened. Somehow, he doubted this was a social call.
“Who is it?” Brooke whispered.
