“Don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”
I glance over at him, looking more closely. His smile is kind, like he’s genuinely interested, not just digging for information.
“You know everyone who comes here?”
His laughter is booming—comforting and warm.
“Pretty much.” His eyes crinkle around the corners. “I'm kind of a big deal around here.”
I’m laughing again at his bluntness. “Is that so?”
“Oh yeah. Very important.” He nods toward the man sleeping peacefully in the wheelchair. “My dad’s been here almost four years. I should warn you, if you hang around long enough, they’ll start asking you to help reach things on high shelves.”
My eyes drop pointedly to him. “Really?”
He sighs. “Fine. Medium shelves.”
This time, when I chuckle, he smiles back like he knows it.
“So, who brought you here?”
Where do I even start with that one? It should be so simple. This morning beside the fire, I knew.
But now, my heart and my head are standing on opposite sides of the room.
“My—”
The word catches.
Becauseboyfriendfeels too small for what happened between us last night and too certain for the way he’s pulling back this morning.
“Someone I love.”
His expression softens. “Those are the ones that usually send people looking for this bench.”
I let loose a long sigh. “No, it’s just complicated.”
“Sometimes the best things are.”
I groan.
“Well, you couldn’t have picked a better spot to think on it.”
“I guess not.”
“Aspen?” Emmett’s tired voice calls out from behind me.
I twist and find him standing at the edge of the path.
Whatever hope I had that the doctor would ease some of his worry disappears.
His shoulders are slumped and there’s a sadness to him I haven’t seen in weeks. Dark circles are obvious under his eyes, but he’s still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
Even if he’s breaking my heart.
Then my new friend turns around, and Emmett’s forehead creases like he’s trying to make sense of what he’s seeing.
The man on the bench beside me is the first to speak. “Good to see you, Emmett.”
