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“Umm, I am just going to c-check on Zander, we should probably g-get going,” I stammered.
When I stood I wasn’t sure what else to say to everyone but I needed to get out of there because what I couldn’t do was talk to Rowan again. He made me a wreck. I wanted to slap him and hug the asshole at the same time. I spent many years being mad at the man and missing him immensely at the same time.
“Brinley,” Summer’s sweet voice started. “Let your son play while we go around the front and talk for a few minutes. Gyth and I would like to help.”
Help? I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. I mean I’d come for help, but I hadn’t told Summer anything and even if I had, letting them help Zander and me wasn’t possible now that I’d found out Rowan was around.
I also didn’t want to be rude so I told her okay and followed her around the house, the same way I had run a short time before that when I’d been trying to flee from the man I knew was staring at my retreat as I took off a second time.
I could feel Rowan’s eyes on me.
Trying to ignore the feeling that it provoked in me, I searched to think of something else. I let the sun’s warmth sink in and took in the beautiful home that Gyth and his family had, which was also in the perfect neighborhood with well-manicured lawns, colorful flowers, shiny cars in the driveways, and a peace that washed over me just being there.
All that brought on a new thought.
This was what I wanted. I could only dream of a perfect life like this with Zander, his father, and an amazing home. I had it pretty good for a while thanks to Luke, but we both knew there was something big missing. Now I had nothing and was just missing him, along with what could never be.
I followed Summer to the white wooden porch swing with cute yellow pillows on it and sat down, folding my hands in my lap, gaze cast downward, unsure what was going to come next. I may not have thought things through before coming, but I never expected all this.
Pushing against the floor with one foot nervously, the swing swayed back and forth. “Oh sorry,” I muttered, trying to stop the motion.
“No worries, I love to sit here and sway. It is so peaceful,” the gorgeous woman next to me said.
Summer could be a model, she was absolutely breathtaking, but also so down to earth. While I felt plain next to her, she didn’t treat me like that or any of the other women either. Friends like them would be wonderful, but they were Rowan’s friends, not mine. And he and my time together had ended so I would have to go somewhere else.
Somewheretheycouldn’t find me.
Summer’s voice cut in and I pulled my gaze from the wood decking.
“I was going to offer for you and Zander to stay with Gyth and me, but then I thought of an idea you would maybe like more.”
My heart sank a little at the fact she changed her mind for some reason about us staying here, even if I could have never taken her up on it.
“Don’t get me wrong, we would love for you to stay with us if that is what you want to do, but we do have another option I hadn’t thought of when I talked to Gyth earlier.” The excitement in her voice was infectious and I found myself smiling along with her.
“We still have Gyth’s old condo for people to use when needed if they come in town for business or work withNo Surrender,the company the guys own or work for. Anyway, you guys could use it and have your own place if that would be more suitable for you?”
My eyes widened in shock and my heart perked up at the sincerity in her tone when she stated she would be fine either way, even if we were invading her space. But I couldn’t do either. I didn’t realize I was slowly shaking my head side to side in a motion that told her no.
“Brinley, let me be honest,” she started, as she placed her small hand on mine. “I may not know what is going on, but all of us ladies have had our fair share of problems and one day we’d be more than happy to tell you about them. But what I can tell you is that we will help you if you need it and something is telling me you do. Let us be there for you, please?”
I gnawed on my bottom lip, furiously.
I wanted to grab onto what she was offering. Maybe I could do it and just avoid Rowan. I didn’t have to see him, right?
“Are you sure we wouldn’t be imposing if we stayed there?” A slight taste of blood hit my tongue as I bit down on my lip hard, worrying about what I was thinking of doing. “Not that I would mind your place,” I hurried to add. “But I don’t want to take your personal space. Besides, Zander and I are used to being alone, so maybe it would be better at the condo. I have money and can pay you for the time we are there too.”
Summer frowned and I wasn’t sure what I had said that brought that look to her once sparkling face.
“Girlfriend, you are not paying a cent for staying there. It’s why it is there and what we do. Teal was using it, but she and Kace bought a house recently so it is yours now as long as you need it.”
That didn’t feel right and I could argue later, but she now looked hopeful and I was feeling a sense of relief that we didn’t have to get in the car and drive off with no destination in mind.
“Okay, thank you.”
The smile was back, beaming so bright and I mirrored her without thought. The damn look on her face was contagious. Gyth never stood a chance against his wife because any time she flashed him one of her smiles I knew he must cave in a split second and grant her any of her wishes.
What would that be like?
