“What?”
“Tell Eloise how you feel about her. There’s something big she’s dealing with – the day I bumped into her I was on my way to see Dr. Hancock. Turns out she was on her way home from her appointment with the good doctor. Whatever it is, she doesn’t believe she’s worthy of love, a relationship, a happy-ever-after. But she is. And so are you. Tell her. Be there for each other.”
“And how exactly is it I feel about her?” I ask, my annoyance ripe in my voice.
“Don’t be mad. Please? I’m only saying this because I love you and want you to be happy. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’ll make you happy. Just talk to her.”
Indigo’s words give me pause. What does she know that I don’t?
“What makes you say that? Did she tell you she has feelings for me?”
“She didn’t need to. It’s there in her words when she talks about you. It’s in her face, in how it lights up when she says your name. The two of you are fighting how you feel, running from something that has the potential to be absolutely amazing.”
“How was it so obvious to you when I only realized ten minutes ago how I feel about Eloise?”
“My sweet Bear, I recognize the signs.” A sheen of tears glistens in Indigo’s eyes. “I shut myself off from life and love, just like the two of you. I felt isolated and unworthy, but then you and Knight, and the rest of the guys came along. Y’all showed me the lies Billy’d been feeding me for years simply weren’t true. And now, I’m telling you, the lies you’re telling yourself aren’t true. You arenothinglike him.”
“How can you say that? You’ve never even met him.”
“I don’t need to. I’ve met you. And I see you, Xavier Dermot. I see that beautiful soul of yours. So please, I’m begging. Tell her. Don’t let her slip through your fingers because of fear.”
I don’t get an opportunity to reply when Knight strolls back into the room. “All right, you reprobate. I’ve come to claim my woman back.”
Stopping at her side, he places a soft kiss on Indigo’s forehead. Something in the gesture seems so intimate, I feel uncomfortable witnessing it, but at the same time it slams into me. I want this. What Knight and Indigo are building for themselves.
If this tiny woman can find the courage to make this life for herself, despite never believing herself deserving of it, then I can too. Maybe she and Eloise are right. Just maybe I’m nothing like the old bastard.
“You know what? You’re right,” I burst out. Jumping to my feet, I cup Indigo’s cheeks in my hands and lay a loud smacker on her lips. “I’ll see you guys around.”
Flashing a megawatt grin my way as I dash from the room, I hear her call out behind me, “Go get ‘em, tiger.”
Yes, ma’am. That’s exactly what I intend to do. I burst into the waiting room only to find Eloise gone.
“Where’s Eloise?” I ask Agatha.
“She left about ten minutes ago. Said there was something she needed to go take care of.”
Go get ’em, indeed. Seems I’m going to have to hunt her down after all.
24
ELOISE
God that was awful. Since I met Bear, we’ve always felt comfortable in each other’s company. But that last time here at the apartment somehow changed that, as demonstrated by that horrible interaction at the hospital. I know Agatha and the guys didn’t believe me when I said I needed to take care of something I’d forgotten about. It is what it is. But I couldn’t stay.
I’m waiting for the machine to finish dispensing my coffee when there’s a knock at the door. Looking through the security peephole, I find a stranger at my door. I’ve never seen the man before, yet something about him seems familiar.
I check to ensure the chain is in place before opening the front door. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Hello, miss. I was wondering if Xavier’s at home.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know where you got this address, but this isn’t his home.”
He takes a step closer, and the smell of alcohol wafts over to me. Studying him closely, I now see the disheveled hair and clothes, the bloodshot eyes. “Listen up, Missy. I know this is his place. I’ve seen him here before, so don’t lie to me. I want to see my boy.”
“Sir, I’m telling you, he doesn’t live here. He’s –”
The man slams the flat of his hand against the wood, pushing at it. Taking a step back to avoid it catching me, I stiffen my stance. “Stand down, sir. I’m an officer, and if you don’t calm down, I’ll be forced to call for back up.”
