“She’s special, Beck. The kind of special that doesn’t come along every day,” Jill said, stepping in front of him so he would stop fidgeting.
“She’s a guest.”
Jill frowned. She was a foot shorter than him, but somehow, she managed to look down her nose, making him feel small.
“Family first.” Once Grayson’s life was sorted, they could all move forward.
“No one will question your loyalty, Beck.”
He patted his sister’s shoulder, moved around her. They might when he said he couldn’t be here, at Brian’s,andstart the bike rental shop. “I know that. One issue at a time. Let’s focus on the lodge.” Because focusing on Presley would turn him inside out even more than she already did.
Libby, Gabby, and Chantel came down the stairs, laughing loudly. Gabby lit up when she saw him, but not the way Presley did. That warmed him from the inside out. When Gabby did it, he just felt like he was stuck in a crowded space with no way to get out.
“We are so excited about our hike this afternoon,” Gabby said, leaning on the front desk.
She wore boots, but they were pink, shiny, and had heels on them. He should take them to the little stream through the woods in the back or he’d have to find Band-Aid alternatives, since Presley had run through his supply.
“With no chef, is there anything to eat?” Libby asked, looking up from her phone.
“Of course,” Jill said, going into full hostess mode. “We have fresh fruit, granola, and muffins that one of the delis sent over. This afternoon, we’ll have sandwiches, and tonight, we’re having lasagna and Caesar salad. It’s not Michelin-star caliber, but I promise you won’t go hungry.”
Gabby’s eyes trailed over him, making him frown. Presley walked through the door at that moment, and he had to thank the universe once again for the timing.
Dressed in a pair of lounge pants that cinched at her ankles, a pale pink T-shirt that read#DREAMacross the front—her and her hashtags—she looked beautiful to him. His heart felt like it was being squeezed in the fist of a giant when she smiled at him.
“Girlfriend alert. Behave, Gabs,” Libby said.
“Leave your sister, darling. She’s harmless,” Chantel said.
“Why don’t we grab breakfast,” Jill said. She ushered the women toward the kitchen even as they waved Presley’s way.
Presley waved back, coming to the front counter. “Good morning.”
Coming around the counter, he kissed her hello. “Good morning.”
He’d never thought much about those little things. Over the years, he’d had several girlfriends. Some long-term, some not. He’d been sure he was doing the right thing when he proposed to his high school sweetheart. When she left for New York, he was crushed, but deep in his heart, he’d known they weren’t meant for forever. His proposal was a last-ditch effort to avoid change. He’d felt love, lust, and several things in between. But nothing like the feelings Presley brought out, like she was part of him. Being around her was like he’d painted the gray sky with color. Like the rainbow that appeared after the storm. It was overwhelming, and he didn’t know if he could handlefeelingthis much on a regular basis, and something told him his feelings would only intensify with time if she stayed.
Good thing she’s not.Right. That’s what he told himself. This kind of connection wasn’t sustainable long-term. If she stayed, he’d be so wrapped up in her, everything else would fall away.Or you’d live the life you always imagined.But she wasn’t staying. And he needed to tell himself that was a good thing, because if he thought he’d been crushed at eighteen, trying to convince Presley to stay and having her leave anyway might demolish him.
Beckett sighed.Focus on what you can control.It didn’t seem likethere was much on that list, and the realization made him want to hide out. Preferably with the woman standing next to him.
“Hungry?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
Her stomach growled. “Maybe.” She smiled. “How about breakfast on the porch? You have a busy day today, right?”
He did, but all he wanted to do was hang with her while he could. “I do, but I’d love for you to take part in whatever you’re up for.” Leaning in for another kiss, he let his hand glide down her back, then farther. “How are you feeling?”
She laughed, poked him in the chest. “Like I spent too long on a bike.”
“You get used to it.”
“Sure. You probably say the same thing about hiking.”
He loved making her smile. “No-time-to-think question,” he said quickly. “Biking or hiking?”
She blinked rapidly. “Biking.”
He grinned. “Fishing or biking?”
