“Can I ask you something?” Lily finally says, in a tone so soft I would have missed it.
I nod.
“Are you planning to stay?”
I almost rear my head back in confusion. Does Lily think I plan on going back to the city? Does she think I would go back to the life I tried so hard to get away from?
DoesGriffinthink I plan on moving back?
“Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?” When she doesn’t immediately answer, I continue. “I had planned to stay here for good. Unless something terrible happens, that would make everyone in this town hate me to where I have to leave because I wasn’t comfortable.”
“Well, lucky for us. Everyone in this town loves you,” Poppy says first, smiling from ear to ear with encouragement. “Nan never stops talking about you.”
“She’s been so great to me. From the moment I came into town and met her,” I answer Poppy before turning to face Lily again. “I don’t plan on leaving, Lil.”
“Does Griffin know how you feel?” she asks.
“I think so?” I answer in a questioning tone. “I’m not entirely sure how he feels. I mean, we’ve kissed and done thin?—”
“Don’t go any further,” Lily stops me, covering her ears. “Even with the best friend hat on, I don’t need to know.”
“Noted.”
“Listen, Blair,” Lily starts, placing a comforting hand on my forearm. “I ask these questions, because if you really want him to open up to you and gain a better understanding of exactly how he’s feeling, he needs to hear you say that you’re not going anywhere. He needs to know that you’re in Bluestone Lakes to stay.” Lily pauses, and I see anguish flash in her eyes. “I don’t think he will survive being abandoned again.”
Then she turns and walks out of the kitchen without another word.
I know about his past and how his ex left him in such a terrible way. I’d never want to hurt him like that.
But I didn’t realize the effect it had on his sisters, too.
Or maybe just Lily.
Has she also been through something similar?
I definitely consider Lily one of my best friends here in town, but have realized in this interaction that I know little aboutherpast. I can’t fault her for it though, because when I came to town, I didn’t want anyone to know about mine. I wanted to keep it under lock and key.
But everything she’s said rings true in my ear.
She’s right.
I need to tell him exactly how I feel and my plans, so he knows where I stand. I already know I want more with him. Even when I thought I didn’t, I did. Even when I tried to talk myself out of it because that’s not what I moved here for, I did then too.
“Everything Lily said was true,” Poppy breaks through my running thoughts. “He won’t survive another heartbreak like that, so you have to assure him. With that being said, I know he has feelings for you. I just didn’t want to say it in front of her.” She gestures toward the kitchen doors.
“He does?”
She nods. “He confided in me recently about it. Said he needed to let it out. I don’t blame him. Sometimes when you feel something, it’s necessary to talk it out. Just like we did here today.”
“I appreciate you two so much,” I tell her honestly. “I definitely needed to get that out, and I know I need to tell Griffin all of this, too.”
“Good.” She nods. “Now, let’s finish up here so we can have the best day ever.”
I get back to work with only one thought in my head.
I need to see Griffin at some point today.
CHAPTER 32
