Page 56 of Let Me Love You

Summer and I are going to Lana’s Boutique. When you’re done, you can come meet us. I mean, if you want.

She sent it about ten minutes ago so they should still be there. Despite finding out about the gang, I’m smiling like a goof ball, but I don’t care. She invited me to spend time with them. She wants me with her. This has to mean something.

I grab my jacket before heading downstairs. Sully is sitting at the kitchen table with a laptop in front of him. He stares at it intently, and if I don’t say anything, he probably won’t even notice—

“Why don’t you come sit with me?” Sully says without looking up from his computer.

I hesitate for a moment. If I linger too long, Serenity might leave. But since Sully is the closest to a father figure to her, I comply. Even though he’s Harmony’s father, he acts like Serenity’s, too.

Silence stretches between us as he chicken pecks on his computer. I resist the urge to squirm. “Is everything okay?”

Sully types a little more and closes his laptop. Taking off his glasses, he levels a glare at me. Even though his hair is graying, he still has an intimidating way about him. And that means a lot coming from me who deals with corporate sharks all day long.

“I like you, Mr. Barlowe, I really do.” When I open my mouth to ask him to call me Victor, he plows forward. “But I want to know what your intentions are for the future.”

I can’t help but smile. This grumpy man has a heart of gold.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve already told Serenity I want us to stay together past the contract date.”

I fill him in on what I proposed to Serenity, and his eyes widen.

“Do you plan to stay married to her after the year?”

I bristle. “I want to, but ultimately, it’s up to Serenity.”

“I-I,” Sully starts, blinking rapidly. “Mr. Barlowe—” He cuts off his own words, confusion still on his face.

“Please, call me Victor.”

He nods once, “All right, Victor. Welcome to the family.”

Warmth spreads through me. A family … Like one I’ve never had. Maybe now, I can help my own family heal, and we can all be together.

***

Jay drops me off at Lana’s Boutique, and I wipe my sweaty palms on my slacks as discreetly as possible. I would’ve been here sooner, but I couldn’t ignore Sully’s request to talk.

I glance up at the two-floor stone building in front of me. Lana’s Boutique is squeezed between a smoothie shop and an ice cream store. The windows are plastered with bright pink words that read, Anniversary Sale. Up to fifty percent off.

Maybe Serenity will let me buy her a few outfits from Lana. She can’t say no when it’s also helping her friend’s business.

I head toward Lana’s entrance, and before I can enter, I spot Serenity through the window, sitting in a chair with Summer on her lap. Lana is walking toward them with two cups and a smile. Serenity laughs at something her friend says, and I can’t help but grin along with her.

Then my smile drops. I’m keeping Serenity away from her sister and friends. Summer is growing up in a foreign area. My stomach twists. Even though I want to keep them in my life, I can’t move them out of Granite Falls permanently. Can I?

Serenity’s gaze turns and meets mine. She bites her lip, and I’m immediately thrown back to the hotel. She was so reactive to my touch. Our every move was in sync as if we were made to find each other. Not to mention, whenever she screamed out my name, I was so lost to her.

I’ve tried and failed to not think about the hotel. It occupies my mind anytime I’m not working or following leads—actually, even then. My feet move on their own, and I enter the small shop. A bell rings overhead, and Summer leaps off Serenity’s lap, charging at me.

My heart feels three times bigger as I crouch down and she surges into my arms. How many times had I wished my parents would hug me? Whenever my father was home, he’d shower me with attention, but that was rare. I think I would’ve been happy with an “I love you” once a year from my mother.

Summer snuggles into me, and I wrap my arms around her. Her red ringlets spring into my face, tickling me, and I can’t stop the laugh that bursts free. She giggles, pulling away, and zooms around the front of the store.

“Bubba is here, Mommy!”

My gaze strays over to where Serenity now stands beside the chair she sat in moments ago. If only she rushed into my arms as her daughter did. Her green eyes stay on mine as she glides toward me. I don’t pay any attention to all the obnoxious pink glitter swirled in the epoxy floor as I take a couple of steps forward, trying to get as close to her as possible as if she’s my oxygen and I’d suffocate if I didn’t get close enough.

My pulse quickens as we stop right in front of each other.