Page 57 of Keel

“We’re glad to help,” Link said.

“I’m going to leave you with my number,” Garnet said. “If you need anything, call. With Frankie across the street and me and Ansley close by, one of us will be able to help you.”

Sonja’s smile warmed Frankie. She was happy they could make her feel good. This was the type of life she’d wanted, what she’d remembered from when her parents had been alive. They’d created a community in their neighborhood. She’d appreciated it when she’d been younger, but when she was a teen, she’d grown distant. Maybe it was the curse of being a teenager, or maybe she’d just been a bad person.

She watched as Keel and the rest of the guys helped other neighbors, seeing the way they helped people clean up and get their neighborhood looking nice made her feel good. This man wasn’t Forest. He was nothing like the jerk at all. None of them were, but Keel really wasn’t. She could trust him.

After a couple of hours picking up limbs and leaves, they headed back to their houses. Sonja stopped them as they walked past, and Keel went up to the porch to retrieve the loaf of bread.

“Thank you. And anything else you need, just ask.”

“Thank you, young man. Thank you all,” Sonja called out before heading back inside. Frankie spied Mr. Wiggles watching from the window, his stare intense.

She pointed to the window when Keel joined her. “Her cat, Mr. Wiggles, is probably wondering why she was being so nice to you.”

Keel chuckled. “That cat wandered into my house when I moved in. I had to chase him out.”

“Really?” Frankie asked.

“Yes. I think he thought he was going to stay, but I made him leave.”

“So maybe he wasn’t mad about her talking to you. Maybe he was mad because he thought you were going to be his new pet, and is angry you didn’t accept him into your tribe.”

Keel slung his arm over her shoulder and threw back his head, laughter spilling out. “If I’m anyone’s new pet, it’s yours.”

She couldn’t help but laugh with him. The weird feeling she had after sex was gone. But she’d had it and needed to say something to him about it.

For now, she would remain silent since they were all going to share the bread and hang out. Later, once they were alone, she would say something about her weird feelings. She didn’t want anything bad between them, and she knew he’d noticed she’d felt off after sex. The storm had given her time to think, to realize that Keel wasn’t like Forest, and she had a lot of healing to do. She just hoped Keel would put up with her.

Chapter 34

Everyone left, and it was just her and Keel. She needed to say something but wasn’t sure how to bring up the subject. The storm had interrupted her before, and that was for the best. Now, after working beside him to clean up the neighborhood, she saw him more clearly.

It was late, and they needed sleep, but she felt she had to say something before she lost the moment. Maybe they were rushing their relationship, and maybe she should just let it all go, but she wanted more with Keel, and if she didn’t have this conversation, she feared whatever they had would die.

“Hey, can we talk?”

Keel turned to face her, his expression unreadable. She wanted to tell him it would be okay, but she was unsure. The words were on her tongue, but with him staring at her, she lost confidence.

He moved closer and took her hands as the hardness on his face softened. “What is it?”

“Before, like before the storm, I was unsure. I’ve not made good decisions, and I felt off about everything. But I know now that you aren’t like him, and that you weren’t manipulating me just to have sex. I wanted to be with you, but in my mind, things got twisted. I panicked because I don’t think I’m good enough. I don’t know how to trust myself.”

Keel pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. She could hear the slow thump of his heart and feel the vibration of his voice as he spoke. “Sweet Frankie, you deserve all the good things. I don’t know that I do.”

She pulled back and met his gaze with fierce determination. “You are an amazing man. You deserve great things.”

“But inside I have doubts. My ex did a number on me, just like yours did on you. Your situation involved more physical violence, but we both had bad experiences.”

She nodded. “We did. I think I was focused on my bad situation and wasn’t really thinking of yours.”

“It’s human nature. We both have things we’ve dealt with. You had your things, and I’ve had mine. And honestly, I really never thought I would get into another relationship. I didn’t want one. I think you coming into my life was more than just good timing, because with anyone else, I would have walked away. I don’t know what it is, or how it works, but I have deep feelings for you.”

His words were like salve on a wound. “Same. I have these really deep feelings for you.”

Keel drew in a deep breath and let it go slowly. “So the next question is, what do we do?”

“What do you mean?”