Which means Bo's going to be at the main house.
A lot.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out.
Kevin: Hey! Still want to catch up? Coffee this week?
I crinkle my nose and shake my head.
The last thing I wanted to do was talk to Kevin Bennett. Nice enough guy who keeps texting like we're on the same page, even though I'm pretty sure we're not even reading the same book.
The contrast hits me hard.
I'm standing here making room in my life for Bo, imagining his jacket on the hook by the door, his boots by the bed, his coffee mug on my counter in the morning, while simultaneously trying to figure out how to gently push Kevin away.
I don't answer the text. It’s easier to just let that text be. A second later, my phone buzzes again. I knew what she wanted before I even answered.
“Hey, Milly, are we still on for Thursday?” I answered in lieu of a greeting.
“Yep, will you be home?”
“Yep, just have to stop at my parents' for a sec first thing.”
“Great, see you then.”
I shove the phone back in my pocket and lean against the counter, closing my eyes and returning my thoughts to Bo.
This is what I wanted, right? To help. To do the decent thing. Country manners. That's all this is.
I open my eyes and look around the space again.
And this time, I let myself picture it.
Bo's jacket is on the hook by the door. His boots are by the bed. His truck was parked in the drive. The light is onwhen I come home at night. The guest house was warm and lived-in instead of waiting and empty.
The image tickles my heart, and I hate how much I like it.
I push off the counter and head for the door.
It's fine. It's practical. It's temporary.
Bo's only here for a little while anyway.
He said so himself, he doesn't know how long he's staying.
Which means this whole thing is just a favor. Just proximity. Just me being a good neighbor and a decent human.
Nothing to worry about.
Except when I lock the door behind me and walk back toward the farmhouse, I can feel my heartbeat in my throat.
Proximity isn't neutral.
And I already know I'm in trouble.
Chapter 6
