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I make an outraged sound, and he just laughs. His arm curls around my shoulders to tug me close, and Nora’s brows climb upward. Unease tightens my stomach. I really shouldn’t be enjoying his touch as much as I am.
“You think your mother came back to Heart’s Cove in the hope she’d go on another motorcycle ride?” I ask Nora as I scrape a bit of frosting off the plate.
My friend laughs. “I wouldn’t be surprised. She asked me about Dorothy’s new bike on the drive over.”
“Careful,” I say. “Next thing you know, your mother will be moving to Heart’s Cove and falling in love with someone.”
Nora grins. “That wouldn’t be so bad. Fallon seems to be enjoying her company. They’ve been planning to cook together most nights. He said he regretted never learning any Indian dishes growing up, and Mom took that as an invitation to have a whole week-long masterclass with him.” She takes another forkful of cake, then pauses. “You know, that day she went for a ride… There was another man there, riding a motorcycle.” Her eyes are glued to the lump of cake on her fork. “He looked like he might be related to Mac.” Her words are casual—almost too much so. “Do you know who that was?”
I glance at her, but she doesn’t meet my eye. Maybe Candice’s plan to pair the two of them up isn’t so far off base…?
“That’s Lee,” Rudy replies, scraping a bit of frosting off the plate with his finger. I miss the next few words because my brain short-circuits at the sight of him licking it clean. He’s definitely doing it on purpose. “…and I can introduce you if you want.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Nora rushes to say. “I was just wondering, is all. They look so similar.” I arch a brow, but Nora just grabs the now-empty plate. “I better go.”
“Want to grab lunch this week?” I ask almost desperately. I like Nora a lot, and the thought of talking to her about my predicament with Rudy appeals a whole lot more than spilling my guts to the Heart’s Cove Rumor Machine, a.k.a. my family.
Nora pouts. “Can’t. I have to drive to Reno tomorrow morning—boss wants me in the office in the afternoon.”
“Again? Didn’t you just get back? I thought you said you’d be working from home permanently.” I put the used forks in the dishwasher, then glance over my shoulder.
Nora huffs. “That’s what he promised. So far, he’s asked me to come back every week for useless meetings. I’m looking for something new—either a local job or a fully remote position.”
Rudy’s hand slips over my hip as I straighten up, the touch sending heat blooming over my skin. “Well, drive safe, and let me know when you get back to town.”
“Should be back by the end of the week,” Nora says brightly. “I’ll be at Candice’s housewarming next weekend.”
I smile. “Good.”
Nora nods, then waves goodbye.
I watch her go until the door closes behind her, then glance at Rudy. The carrot cake turns to stone in my stomach as I think of what I need to tell him.
His arms encircle me, and despite my best intentions, I find myself melting into his embrace. I’ll break it off with him—I will. He deserves better than someone who’s broken and complicated.
Just…in a bit. Once I’m able to pull myself away from his arms.
CHAPTER 21
Lily
When Rudy gets ready to leave, his last kiss lingers on my lips. “I know we said our fun ends after twelve hours,” he tells me, “but I’m not sure I’m ready for it to be over.”
I take a deep breath. “Rudy…”
“I know. I know. You have a lot going on and you don’t want to start a relationship.”
I give him a tired smile. “Exactly.” Sort of.
“Just…think about it, yeah?”
“I need time.” I close my eyes for a beat. “There’s a lot going on, and I don’t want to cling onto you because it feels good to have someone to lean on.”
His finger drifts over my cheek. “I don’t mind you leaning on me.”
Damn it. This feels really good, and he’s saying all the right things. I’ve been alone for so long. When Phil left after I told him I intended to keep and raise my baby no matter what he thought, I was freaking out but I was ready to be a single mom. I’ve lived an adventurous, varied life, and I was ready to move on to the next chapter.
Then I got my diagnosis.
