More than just wanted them. I felt like I’d never be complete again if I didn’t have them with me. The perfect peace of Saturday evening would forever allude me if she walked away.
I turned to the giant of a man Waterton had sent, who’d cleared his throat to interrupt our kiss. Prabhjot said, “I’ve put together a list of suggested changes to the store’s security. Waterton said the team at the house is ready to install the alarm system if you can get us the keys.”
I turned back to Tristan. “I’m paying for an alarm at the house. I just… regardless of what happens with us, you’ll need it. Can you give them a key?”
She looked stunned again. Almost like she’d looked when I’d first walked into the store. She got up, went to her purse, and took a key off a key ring, handing it to Prabhjot.
“We’ll get it back to you in a few hours,” he said before heading back down the stairs. The sound of his heavy boots ricocheted off the walls in the silence left behind as Hannah stopped playing the song I’d made up and that she’d somehow memorized after hearing it one time.
“I’m going to go check on Hannah,” Tristan said, squeezing my hand and then heading off to the practice room just as my phone rang.
Dani’s picture filled the screen.
“What the hell, O’Neil?” she said harshly.
My eyes closed.
“What do you want me to say?” I asked.
“I want you to tell me you aren’t putting moves on my dear friend who’s already lost her soul mate.”
I couldn’t do that. I’d already tangled us together, but I’d also given her the chance to escape, and she’d stayed. For now. That had to mean something.
Dani didn’t like my silence. She rumbled, “Nash and I are coming up on Saturday for Hannah’s birthday party. Are we going to have to bury you alive in a grave somewhere?”
“I really like her,” I told her quietly. It was a true statement as much as it didn’t even begin to break the surface of what I felt.
“She’s been through a lot, Brady. Nash is extremely protective of her. I am too.”
“Is this why I was never properly introduced? Because you think I’m going to screw with her? Do you know me that little?” I couldn’t help the hurt that threaded its way through my voice. I was a good enough guy until it came to thoughts of introducing me to someone they cared about. I wasn’t good enough to be trusted with an actual relationship. That’s what it felt like everyone thought of me.
Dani sighed. “I know you aren’t a love-‘em-and-leave-‘em kind of guy. But that doesn’t mean you can give her what she needs after mourning a husband for four years.”
“Four and a half.”
“What?” Dani said in surprise.
“Four and a half years. I know how long it’s been. I’m also painfully aware it will probably never be enough time. But I can’t help it. She’s…” I sought for the word I needed. “She’s the thing that’s been missing my entire life.”
It was Dani’s turn to remain silent, seconds ticking away before she finally asked, “You’re falling in love with her?”
“Falling. Fallen. Who knows? I just know Hannah and her…they need me as much as I need them.”
I hadn’t really even thought the words before I said them, but they were the truth. The females in the other room did need someone. Needed someone to pull them from the winter into the warmth of spring. I could be that. I wanted to be that with every inch of my soul.
“What should I say in the post?” Dani’s voice still held a hint of reprimand, but also a reluctant acceptance.
“I don’t want anything about Tristan or Hannah in any post we make,” I told her firmly.
“Brady, the post is literally a response to you and Tristan dancing in the bar. How can we not put anything in it about her?”
I sighed. “Our official response is no comment.”
Dani snorted. “You know that isn’t going to work, right? That will just send the hounds baying after you even harder.
I dragged a hand over my face.
“Just say something about me catching up with old friends in my hometown.”
