"Don't do anything stupid. After everything we've been through in the last few years, I couldn't handle losing you."
"You're not going to lose me."
His jaw tightens. "I wish I could believe that."
Me, too.
RAVEN
The bell above the door at Mind Your Own Beeswax jingles as I push through it, carrying my laptop close to my chest to protect its contents from further assault from Connor in case he decides to show up here today, too.
Asshole.
I wouldn’t put it past him to follow me here…
Willow glances up from where she sits on a stool behind the register looking over what appears to be inventory notes. Her dark brows rise, gray eyes sweeping over me with surprise. "Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you today. You said you were elbow-deep in a story."
More like up to my fucking neck.
Releasing an annoyed sigh, I bee-line for her and set down my computer, staring at the corner of it where Connor grabbed and slammed it shut like I can still see the taint of his hand on it. "Yeah, me either.”
“Shouldn't you be working?"
I roll my eyes. "I would be if I hadn't gotten totally thrown off my game."
She sits up taller on the stool. "What do you mean?”
“What I mean is your brother-in-law is back and stirring up his usual bullshit again and directing it at me."
Typical Connor McBride behavior, really. Any reason to argue with me or shove my face in the dirt, that man will find it.
Lucky steps out from the back room with a box of candles, her blue eyes wide. "Did I just hear Connor is back?"
I nod as she sets the product on the counter and exchanges a worried glance with Willow.
My best friend spins the pen in her hand nervously. "How did he look?"
Annoyingly handsome.
Shit…
That shouldn’t be the first thing I think of when asked a question like that, but while Connor McBride may be a dick on just about every level, no one can deny how attractive he is.
Rugged.
Dangerous.
With those piercing dark eyes and bad fucking attitude.
That only makes him more infuriating.
I cross my arms over my chest and blow out a huff of air to get my hair out of my eyes and to try to cover any potential slip I may make facially while taking my time to respond. “Honestly, he looked like shit, like he hadn't slept the entire week he was up the mountain.” Dark bags under his eyes. Deep lines etched on his forehead and mouth I don’t remember being there before. That trembling in a body that’s always been so rock solid. “But at least he showered before he came to town."
Willow's mouth falls open on an incredulous gasp. "You mean he went back to his cabin and didn't come to see us?"
Hell.
There it is…
