After they had walked out the front door, Giles scratched the back of his neck. His eyes darted around nervously.
“So, did you want to go back to your place or?”
My cheeks flushed, I hadn’t really wanted to leave him, but I knew that I should after spending two nights at his place already.
“Oh yeah, that’s fine,” I said at the same time Giles said, “Or you could just stay with me.”
I giggled nervously. “That’s okay. It’ll be good to get some fresh clothes.”
“Yeah, there’s some stuff I should probably get done tonight.” He scratched his stubble. “Let me walk you back.”
I carefully maneuvered my crutches over the icy walkway to Bev’s and successfully made it up my stairs with minimal assistance from Giles.
“I’m getting pretty good with these.” I smiled up at him.
“Goodnight, Mattie.” He dipped his head so that it was level with mine and gave me a sweet, lingering, kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“See you tomorrow.” I waved at him and closed the door.
My apartment didn’t feel quite as homey now that I knew what staying with Giles felt like. I changed into a pair of black sweatpants and collapsed on the couch. Flipping channels, I wound up finding the same rom-com we had watched the other night.
Smiling, I took a picture and sent it to Giles.
How was it possible that I was already waiting for the next time I’d get to see him? Is this what falling in love again felt like? Not being able to get enough of him? Saying goodbye and just impatiently waiting for the next hello?
I groaned. I had it so bad.
A knock sounded at the door causing me to jump. Could it be Bev this late?
Not bothering with my crutches, I hopped over and cracked open the door to peek out.
Giles was standing there.
Grinning, I opened the door wider. “What are you doing here?”
He held his phone up. “I saw you were watching my favorite movie.”
“Do you want to come in?”
He nodded, and I laughed. He grabbed me around my waist and pulled me back on to the couch. I settled in to his chest and bit back my smile.
With that lame excuse to come over, maybe he had it just as bad as I did.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Mattie,
You never got back to me on those resumes I sent over for your replacement in Colorado. I took the liberty of moving the most qualified candidate through. I had a few other people from the firm meet with him, and he’s perfect for the job. The trial run is up the Monday after Thanksgiving, so we’ll want to meet with Bev as soon as possible to get her acquainted with your replacement. He’s already local to the area and can start immediately. Please get back to me ASAP.
Mike
Gnawing at my lip,I reread Mike’s e-mail. It was unlike me to blow off job duties like reviewing resumes, but it was easier for me to pretend like that wasn’t real. Like I didn’t have a replacement coming to take over for me. Like I wasn’t going back to Florida.
My heart physically ached at the thought. What was waiting for me back there? I had no apartment. No boyfriend. No friends. No life, really.
Key Ridge felt like home right now. It felt like where I belonged. And Giles….Giles was someone I did not want to leave behind. But what if he thought it was way too early to be having these thoughts? Yes, I loved this town, but I would be lying if I said that staying here wasn’t primarily motivated by our budding relationship.
I had spent the past week avoiding this dilemma by pretending it didn’t exist. I didn’t want to leave and never get the chance to know what Giles and I could become. I probably should have talked to him about this, but I was too afraid of what he might say. What if he told me to go back?
