An arm wrapped around me, pulling me into a solid body. “You okay?”
I tilted up my face to meet Tuck’s Arctic blue gaze. “Yeah. Just some happy tears.” I wiped under my eyes. He didn’t look like he believed me, but he said nothing as we watched the couple greet everyone around them. Yes, this could be more than enough.
7
Tuck
I couldn’t getit out of my head. That look of soul-deep pain in Jensen’s eyes after the proposal. As though she were giving up. That and her almost passing out on me at the Kettle had been playing on a near constant loop in my head for the past week.
Which was why I currently wandered by all the shops in town, searching for…I didn’t know what. Something that would bring a smile to Jensen’s face. Something that would make her laugh.Fuck, I have no idea what I’m doing. This is a bad fucking idea.
I turned on a dime, about to head back to my truck, but I nearly crashed into Taylor as I did. I grabbed her shoulders to steady her. “Sorry about that, gorgeous.”
She pushed her blond locks away from her face. “Glad you have quicker reflexes than me, or I would’ve landed on my ass.”
I chuckled. “I got your back.” I released her and took a step back. “So, how’s it feel to be the future Mrs. Cole?”
The smile that graced her face could’ve lit an entire room. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
“I’m so glad you guys found each other.”
Taylor reached out and squeezed my arm. “Thank you. So, what’re you up to?”
Heat crept up the back of my neck. “Well, I…uh…”
Taylor’s brow knitted as she studied me. I didn’t want to tell her, but at the same time, maybe she was exactly what I needed. “I wanted to get something for Jensen. She’s been so stressed lately. I just wanted to do something nice for her. But I don’t know shit about all this girlie stuff.”
Taylor’s eyes widened ever so slightly. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Want some shopping assistance?”
“That would be great.”
Taylor linked her arm through mine. “Follow me. I know exactly what we need.” Taylor pulled me down the street at a speed that was shocking for someone so tiny. “I’m worried about her, Tuck.”
“Me, too. And I’m not sure what to do. She won’t let anyone help shoulder the load. Won’t talk to me like she used to.”
Taylor slowed her pace and looked up at me. “I love how close you two are. I guess it comes from basically growing up together, huh?”
I chose my words carefully. “I’ve known her since she was born. I’ve always looked out for her.”
Taylor stopped moving altogether, releasing her hold on my arm. “I feel like it’s more than that.”
I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat. “We’ve just always been able to talk about the tough stuff, you know? Were able to show each other all the pieces of ourselves, even the ugliest parts.” I ran a hand through my hair roughly. “But now, she’s hiding from me. From everyone.” I hadn’t realized how much that pissed me off until I said the words. Like Jensen had stolen something that I needed to breathe.
“Tuck.” Taylor reached out and grasped my forearm. “She’ll come back to us. We just have to be patient. Show her that we’re here for her, that we see she’s hurting, and let her know we’re not leaving her to deal with it alone.”
I nodded. “Any ideas for a present that will say all that?”
Taylor let out a laugh. “I’ve got you covered.”
I heldtwo bags stuffed with tissue paper and a variety of items. Maybe this was a bad idea. I could always climb back into my truck and head home. I heard a scream from inside Jensen’s guest house. My body jolted forward.
Just as I pushed open the door, Jensen’s voice, louder than I’d ever heard it, filled the space. “Noah Nolan Cole, you go to your room right now. You’re in time out until I tell you otherwise.”
Noah’s face, red and blotchy, scrunched up. “I hate you!” He stormed past me and up the stairs.
Jensen’s gaze followed him, catching on me. The hurt, pain, and exhaustion that filled her face were quickly replaced with irritation. “You don’t even knock anymore? You just let yourself in now?”
“Whoa. I was outside and heard screaming. I just reacted.”
