“He laughed,” I finally say.
Nan takes this moment to come into the kitchen, the door swinging open as if she heard it too. “Repeat that again for the class.”
Lily sucks in a sharp breath before her hand covers her mouth. “What?”
“He laughed, Lil,” I repeat so it really sinks in for them. “I’m talking hands on his knees, bent over in a fit of joy.”
Lily’s eyes widen more before she paces the kitchen, deep in thought. When I turn to face Nan, she’s got her arms crossed over her chest and a knowing grin plastered on her lips. Like she’s content with the revelation. But when I look back at Lily, I can tell just by the look on her face the wheels are spinning, because not only did she see him in here after years of never stepping foot in the bakery, but now she knows he’s laughing and smiling again.
She stops abruptly, facing me. “Did you have time to talk to him? You know, assure him you’re staying?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t had the chance. But I’m thinking when he takes me to the ranch this afternoon I will,” I add quickly.
Her fingertips find her temples. “This is too much,” she groans, before sitting down at the stool where she was just doing paperwork. She looks where I still stand. “He’s taking you to the ranch?”
“That’s sacred land,” Nan interjects.
I nod. “He invited me last night. He told me he wants to show me something, but I’m not sure what.”
“Jesus,” Lily murmurs. “He never does that.”
“Should I be nervous?” I ask skeptically.
She shrugs. “I don’t know in detail what’s going on between you two, and what you two have told each other, but knowing my brother, he hasn’t had the courage to ask you the things I’m not afraid to ask.”
“And that is?” Nan asks for me as if she knows it’s where my mind was going.
Lily gives Nan a pointed glare before bringing her attention back to me. “I asked you if you were staying, and you said yes. But has he asked you?”
I shake my head.
“The questions he’s too afraid to ask for fear of being hurt again. Since you’ve clearly fallen for each other, I’m sure you’ve opened up about things. But you need to ensure him you plan to stay if you haven’t already done so. I know Griffin enough to know he will let you in more than he already has.”
Hasn’t he, though?
He’s opened up to me enough to know parts of him I’m not sure he shares with others.
My mind spins, wondering if I’veactuallytold him this.
I haven’t. I haven’t said a thing about me being here permanently.
I nod again, this time nervously.
She stands from the stool, moving to stand in front of me again before she places a hand on my shoulder. “I only tell you all of this because I love you. I love my brother too. The last thing I want is for either of you to hide your feelings or end up hurt in the process. You both deserve this type of happiness.”
She’s right.
If I want this to work, and if I want to fully know how he feels about me outside of a physical connection, I have to tell him my plans.
CHAPTER 35
YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE ME KILLED.
Griffin
Exiting my truck, I round the hood to let Blair out.
Her eyes widen as she steps out, taking in the ranch. Likely because she’s never seen it this close before. At least that I know of. Lily could have brought her here to ride one day for all I know. Either way, I’m treating this like her first time here.
