Page 102 of Let Me Love You

“She should be, yes.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “She should?”

Before I can reply, a car engine rumbles down the driveway. I turn around, and a bright pink Chevrolet truck pulls to a stop beside my vehicle. I place Summer back on her feet, unable to tear my eyes off our new arrivals. Four women climb out, but my eyes narrow in on Serenity. Her red hair is pulled back into a half up, half down hairstyle with wisps around her face. I ache to push my fingers through her curly locks, to pull her to me.

My gaze makes it down her torso and to her jeans, which hug all her curves the right way. The. Most. Beautiful. Woman. Ever. No one will ever change my mind about that, even if she decides to stick to her decision.

Isabella leans toward me. “I can see the drool. Act cool.”

Ignoring her, I start toward Serenity. My feet move on their own as if they’re being pulled toward her. Everyone around us disappears as she gravitates to me, too. She bites on her lower lip, and I wish so much I was the one doing it—that she’d let me pull her close and wrap my arms around her.

“Why did you want to see me?” Serenity’s voice is so soft I almost don’t hear her.

I clear my throat. Serenity keeps her composure, not surprised that the man she kicked out a week ago is now here. Harmony must have already told her about me coming and forgot to tell me. “All I want is one evening with you.”

She sighs. “I’m not flying off to some fancy restaurant. Can’t you see that’s not the kind of life I want?”

“No planes. No fancy restaurants.” I take a step closer. “Just us and regular food.”

She hesitates for a few moments, and I can practically see the gears running in her brain. Harmony whispers something into Serenity’s ear before heading to the house. Everyone disappears inside except for my sister who stays by the stairs, giving us privacy but also being here for me.

As if Serenity has made up her mind, she nods and follows me to my car. I open her door for her, and she glares at me as she slides inside. We make our way toward downtown. Neither one of us says a word as we drive closer to our destination.

My stomach is in knots as I park the car outside the first location I have planned. This is it. My one shot to win back my family once and for all. No pressure or anything.

Chapter 45

Serenity

One minute, we’re parked outside a building that hasn’t been rented out in years, and the next we’re inside looking around. I’m not sure what for. It’s not like Victor can move Barlowe Technology out here. Not to mention, this place looks like it was at one point a doctor’s or dentist’s office.

I sneeze, some dust burrowing its way into my nostrils.

“What do you think?” Victor asks with his arms spread out wide. “It shouldn’t take a lot to get it up and running. Maybe just a few updates, especially with the technology.”

“It’s almost like you’re speaking gibberish.” I shake my head as I continue to take in the space. There are at least ten examination rooms from where I’m standing. “Why are we looking at this place?”

He takes a step toward me but leaves enough space for me to feel comfortable. “Did you know the closest doctor’s office is thirty miles away?”

I nod. Of course I know. That’s why so many people end up at my hospital. So much could’ve been prevented if people had opportunities to go to the doctors more often.

He spreads his arms out wide, motioning to the area around us. “I want us to buy this together and turn it into a free clinic for people in need.”

Time seems to slow down as I turn around in a circle, finally taking everything in. There’s a waiting room through the doorway to my right, and I already spotted all of the examination rooms. There are cubicles in the center, bunched together.

I always hated when he threw money around so needlessly, but this … this is something I can get behind. It isn’t a frivolous purchase. We can help everyone in Granite Falls, maybe even people in the surrounding towns.

Tears well in my eyes when I turn back to Victor. “Why?”

He must take my reaction in a good way because he steps closer until he’s right in front of me. He’s so close, I can feel his body heat beckoning me to him. “I’m sorry about everything. I knew you didn’t tell anyone about my biological father, but I was too blinded at the moment to see it.” He places his fingers under my chin and tips my head up. “I know that isn’t a great excuse, but it came as such a shock to my entire family.”

I open my mouth and close it. Can I really trust him to believe in me after that? Or maybe the better question is, is it worth keeping our family apart because I’m too afraid?

“I want to be by your side every day,” Victor continues, caressing my face. “I want to wake up beside you and see your sleepy smile. I want to get up in the middle of the night with the baby to let you sleep.”

A sob escapes my mouth. I want all of that, too, but—

“Please, give me the chance to make it up to you. This clinic will be good for all the residents of Granite Falls.” His mouth hovers over mine, and I don’t pull away. “Let me do some real good for once.”