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My younger sister, Indie, found the love of her life here. I was skeptical of their insta-everything, but Walker proved himself to be exactly what she needed in her life. I love my sister, but she's not detail-oriented, to say the least. I know I tested her limits when I made her move out here with me.
I left all the planning to her since I was hardly able to get out of bed most days, let alone take care of any plans. I felt utterly, overwhelmingly lost, walking around in a listless haze. I was either sobbing or completely numb for months, but when Indie, Carson, and I moved out here, things started looking a little brighter.
Walker stepped in and saved the day on multiple occasions. Even to this day, three years later, he takes care of her in the gentle, yet commanding way she needs. He's been more than generous with me as well, what with gifting me my current car and paying my rent for the first year I was here. I hated accepting his charity, but I was also grateful. I rarely ask for help, but Indie and Walker supported me and got me through the worst year of my life.
Lord knows our dad and stepmom would never have supported me like that. They’ve always been cold and distant, even more so toward me since my divorce. They haven’t told me directly, but I know they think I’m a failure. Hell, I still think so, too, most days. Except when I’m around Drake. He makes me feel like… well, like everything is going to be alright, just like he told me the first time we met.
I won't lie, I was jealous of what my sister found with Walker at first. He loves her with his whole heart. I see it every time he looks at her. She's his entire world, and Indie feels the same about him. I've never had that, not even with my ex. In fact, I don't think he ever loved me.
"Mel!" Indie's voice breaks me out of my thoughts before I get a chance to spiral out of control. The last thing I need is to shed more tears over Joseph, and certainly not in public.
"Hey," I greet my sister, giving her a hug. "Hi, Walker," I say, giving him a hug as well.
Suddenly, I hear a low growling sound coming from behind me. I turn around and see Drake standing there, staring daggers at Walker. Huh. I wonder what that's about? Do they have a history or something?
Drake takes my hand and laces his fingers with mine. Indie tries unsuccessfully to hide her smile as she looks between us and then down at our hands. Oh, my God, is Drake… jealous? Of me hugging my brother-in-law?
"Hi, Drake," I squeak out.Smooth, very smooth, Melissa."This is my sister, Indie, and her husband, Walker." Drake's whole body relaxes once I make the introductions. I ignore the shiver that runs down my spine at the thought of Drake wanting me all to himself.
"Walker, Indie, this is—"
"Drake," Walker finishes for me. "How the hell are you? I didn't know you were back in town." The two shake hands, and then Drake shakes Indie's hand as well.
"Yeah, I moved back a few months ago. I'm working as a firefighter now. My grandma can be a pushy woman, and she convinced me to come back after getting out of the military."
An ex-military mananda firefighter? Good lord, no wonder he's ripped. Jesus, are my panties wet? When's the last time that's happened?
Drake bends down and picks Carson up as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. He holds him on his hip and then wraps his arm around my waist, tucking me into his other side. Carson sighs contentedly, resting his head on Drake’s shoulder. We almost look like a real family. The kind I’ve always wanted and never got the chance to experience.
Indie, Walker, and Drake chat for a bit while I stand there, completely silent as I melt into Drake’s side. I'm afraid if I open my mouth, I might give away how attracted I am to him or how much he throws my world off its axis. Drake doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he slips the very tips of his fingers under the hem of my shirt, stroking my hip in calming circles. My skin tingles with awareness, as well as other, lower parts of me. I'm trying to convince myself to step away from him, but my body isn't listening.
Eventually, Carson gets bored and starts fussing. I think Drake is going to hand him off to me, but instead he asks Carson what he wants to do. It surprises me how easily he seemed to slip into the role of a father-figure. Not that he is, of course. I would never ask that of him. But one look at the way he’s smiling and listening to my son chatter away about face painting and frosting a gingerbread man, and I find myself longing for him to be with us always.
"Why don't Walker and I take Carson for the afternoon?" Indie offers. She nudges Walker and not-so-subtly glares at him.
"Yes," he exclaims. "Absolutely. I'd love to spend more time with my favorite nephew." He's about as good of an actor as Indie is. Their intentions could not be more obvious.
I should say no. I should politely decline. I'll do just that, as soon as I'm able to untangle myself from Drake's embrace. Any minute now, I'm sure I'll come to my senses.
"What a great idea," Drake says before I can get my protests out. "Then I can take you out for coffee."
"Perfect!" Indie claps her hands and takes Carson from Drake. He giggles as she spins him around and kisses him on the nose.
"B-but what about the, uh…" I trail off as I tilt my head back—waaaay back—to look up at Drake. He's so dang tall. And sculpted. And his blue eyes are mesmerizing. But I shake my head and snap out of it. "What about the Gingerbread Bake Off? Won't Mable jump down our throats if we're not here?"
I feel pretty confident about my excuse not to go out with him, although a big part of me wishes I'd just shut up and let him take me out. I want to spend time with him. I want him to make me feel wanted and treasured like he's done every time I'm near him.
"I think she'd be more than fine with us skipping if we're together," Drake says with a smirk. Indie laughs and I roll my eyes.
It seems Mable is at it again with her meddling. I have no doubt she had something to do with Drake showing up at the grocery store a few days ago. He seemed to be distracted like he was looking for someone. I may have stalked him a bit to find out who it was. I watched him throw random things into his cart without so much as a glance as to what they were.
When he showed up in the produce section and chatted me up, I knew he was there for me. It shouldn't have made me swoon, but I'm finding everything this man does has some sort of impact on me—heart, mind, and body.
Before I even realize what's happening, I'm being ushered out of Town Hall. Drake leads me out to his car, his hand never leaving mine. He even opens my door for me. For a second, I think he's going to buckle my seatbelt, but then he thinks better of it. It's probably for the best. If he got that close, who knows what I'd do? Kiss him? Cling to him? Beg him to never let me go?
Once we're inside Holly Jolly bakery, Drake orders coffee and a few pastries. I'm not sure what to say to him when we sit down. So far, I've managed to cry in front of him, hyperventilate, and then fumble for words when we were talking in the grocery store.
"So… um, you said you were in the military?" I ask before taking a sip of coffee.
