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But if Ididbelieve in destiny, Shiloh was meant to find me at this moment.
It’s like I’m really seeing her for who she is. The wind takes some loose curls from her braids, making a halo around her, like she’s an angel. I was so wrong about her.
“So, now you know why this town feels sorry for me.”
“They don’t feel sorry for you. They care about you.”
I nod, looking down at my lap again.
“I care about you,” she says. My head snaps up. She waves her hand. “I’m keeping my promise. I have not fallen for you so don’t worry.”
I say nothing. Friends is all we can be. Dating her is impossible. She needs a whole man. I’m just a shell of a person who spent the last ten years walking through waist-deep mud. It doesn’t stop me from wanting her, wondering if she tastes like vanilla too.
Her sex comment earlier came from nowhere, and it made me cough. I can’t let the mention of it affect me, because I will think about Shiloh naked and on top of me constantly if I let myself.
“I want to hear more about Amy. When you’re ready. She must be special if you picked her.”
“She was.” Suddenly, my throat grows scratchy and my eyes stress. I cough into my hand. “Give me some time, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“Promise?”
“Promise,” I say.
“I think you like me, Jackson Finch.”
“A little bit.” I hold my fingers apart an inch.
“I’ll take it!” she says. “I feel like the newspaper needs to know.Man who likes no one likes Shiloh Abbott a little bit.”
A laugh leaves my throat.
“You know what will make front-page news?” she continues. “I get you out and about.”
“Only if you’re my bodyguard.”
She looks at herself and giggles. She’s a full foot shorter than I am and probably weighs less than a hundred pounds. “Sure. I’ll start working on my bicep curls.”
“I’ll pay you in sandwiches.”
“Oh no, I hate those. Don’t do it.” The hint of a smile on her lips develops to a smirk.
“I see that little smirk.” I point at her mouth. “You’re excited for the pesto.”
“I am,” she laughs. “Do you want to join me on my dog walk tonight too? We can be each other’s bodyguards. I was kind of nervous because it’s dark, but you can go with me.”
“When?”
“I’m walking the dog at eight.”
“Sure.” I fiddle with my hair since some pieces escaped my rubber band. I tuck them behind my ears.
“Is your hair bothering you?” she asks.
“A little. I cut the front pieces too short.”
“You cut your own hair?” Her whole face stretches.
I confirm, and she covers her face. “Jackson, Jackson, you just became friends with the right lady. I know how to cut men’s hair. I’m not a professional or anything, but I used to cut hair and get paid in Caramel Apple Spices from Starbucks.”
