Page 42 of Yours to Keep

We were just two people acknowledging each other in the daylight, in public, without paper gowns or cannoli in reaching distance. Although he was looking at me like he was seeing me for the first time, which was ridiculous because he’d seen me in scrubs, in fury, and in the middle of a heated face-off about cake.

Still, his gaze lingered on me in a way that made my pulse spike, those blue eyes raking over my body from head to toe. He glanced around and looked into my eyes again. “Where’s your plus-one?”

I snorted before I could stop myself. “I’m flying solo today.”

“Me too,” he said, and for reasons I absolutely refused to unpack right then, my heart gave a very stupid little kick.

I arched an eyebrow at him though, disbelieving and then some. “You’re flying solo? Seriously?”

He smiled again, that rare, unfair smile I’d seen when he’d first spotted me on the sidewalk, and then, instead of deflecting, he surprised me. “I wanted to be able to focus on Liana and making sure her big day goes off without a hitch. I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I’d brought someone. Not without being the worst date in human history, anyway.”

The admission caught me off guard. “Oh. Wow. That’s actually really sweet.”

He made a noncommittal sound. “Don’t spread it around. I have a reputation to maintain.”

A couple approached him and he turned toward them, greeting both by name before asking about their recent travels and the woman’s work. I probably should’ve just turned to head inside now that I’d officially been greeted, but I found myself rooted to the spot.

This was a different Sullivan to the one I’d thought I knew, but he was also different to the guy I’d met when he’d finally told me that he was ready to listen. This man was charming in a way that felt practiced, but not fake.

When they congratulated him on his sister’s nuptials, he smiled warmly, thanked them, and made a joke about surviving wedding planning. It was breaking my brain to realize there were so many more different layers to him than I’d realized, like he was a real, multi-faceted human being who hadn’t only been humanized, but was, in fact, a whole person.

It was only when the couple turned and strode into the church that I realized I’d hovered for the entire exchange. Talk about making things awkward.

“I’m going to go grab a seat,” I said once they were gone, trying to cover for having stayed out here for no apparent reason other than being fascinated by him. “I’ll see you inside.”

“Bree,” he said quietly.

I paused, frowning at the strange softness of his tone as I glanced up at him. “Yeah?”

He leaned in just enough that only I could hear him. “Please stay.”

The raw, almost hesitant edge of vulnerability in his voice rooted me to the spot. He wasn’t cocky right now at all, and when he pulled back and I saw that same odd, unfamiliar softness on his face as well, I nodded.

“Just for a bit,” I said. “I’d like to find a seat before it fills up.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” he replied easily, turning to greet the next couple that came up to him. Once they were gone, he glanced back at me. “Have you spoken to my sister today?”

“No.” I frowned a little, my head cocking as I thought it over. “It’s her wedding day and I’ve barely known her for a month. Why do you ask?”

“She’s been nervous all week,” he said, glancing toward the doors. “But she’s pretending she’s not. With me, at least. I was hoping maybe you knew something I didn’t.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t have told you about it unless she wanted me to,” I said in no uncertain terms. “I don’t know anything, though. All I can tell you is that she hides it well, but something has definitely been off about her.”

He looked at me, surprise flickering across his expression. “You noticed that without her telling you anything?”

I shrugged. “I notice things. It’s an occupational hazard.”

“Yeah, you do, don’t you? You’re remarkably good at looking straight through people.”

“Careful,” I said. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”

He smiled. “Don’t get used to it.”

The last guests filed into the church, and suddenly, it was much quieter out here. We stood there another moment as he looked around, but there were no more people milling about and no new cars entering the parking area across the street.

“We should go in,” he said. “I think that’s it for my doorman duties.”

Before I could respond, he took my hand. I stiffened slightly, but I didn’t pull away. “Sullivan⁠—”