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I chuckled in disagreement.
“My point is,” she continued, “I have also watched you coast through life, avoiding real connection to save your heart. You can’t do that with Annie—she knows you too well.”
I sighed. “And that’s what scares the shit out of me. The way she looks at me? She smiles at me like I’m actually worth something.”
Kate shook her head. “She’salwayslooked at you like that—for as long as I remember.”
I swallowed hard. “I keep having all these”—I vaguely gestured up and down toward my chest—“feelings. Forgotten memories that keep popping up. I keep thinking about Margo and what an idiot I was. How could I not see that Annie was right in front of me the whole time? I can’t even trust my gut. How do you go through life like that?”
Kate shrugged. “Sometimes the heart sees what it wants to see. Annie and you have a deep and complicated past. You need to talk withherabout it. Let her in.”
I nodded, unsure but letting my sister’s words sink in.
“One last piece of advice?” Her hand gently patted the middle of my back. “When she letsyouin, hear her out. Really listen.”
My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Whatever she tells you—listen with your whole heart. She’s risking a lot here.”
I looked at my sister, my jaw tight and brows pitched downward.
Kate sighed. “Look, I love you, but we all know you haven’t been a commitment kind of guy. For as long as I’ve known her, Annie has wanted it all—a family, kids,permanence. Her own foster family up and left her. Have you ever thought about how that would feel?”
I frowned, hating to dwell on the sad upbringing Annie had suffered. “She has us.”
Kate nodded. “She does, but if things go south with you two, how would that work out? She can’t have a week where she isn’t getting you out of some kind of mess—whether you’re hiding from the Kings or some new girl has it out for you. All I’m saying is we’re her family.All of us. If you’re not sure about—”
“I get it.” Frustrated, I crossed my arms.
Kate stepped closer. “I’m sorry. Okay? Just please be careful here.” My sister wrapped her arms around me in a side hug before letting out a deep, aggressively loud sigh. “Okay, I’m done offering sage advice. Want to get a beer?”
I ruffled my sister’s brown hair, relieved to ignore the swell of raw emotions swirling inside me. “You’re buying.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
LEE
I wasin love with Annie and, goddamn it, I was tired of hiding it. She made everything seem light. Happy.
There was no denying that Annie was having mixed emotions about the direction our relationship had taken, but I didn’t care. I had finally realized how much I loved her—how I hadalwaysloved her—and that was where it all ended for me. Talking about our past was painful for the both of us, and I wanted nothing more than to forget about it and move forward.
With her.
I’d learned in the Army to let the past go and focus on the next mission. It was the only way to survive in one piece and stay sane. I found out myself that if you do it with a joke and a smile, no one ever questioned what was really going on inside your head.
Tonight was the last hurrah for the Matchmakers' Gala. All the auction dates got together for casual cocktails and appetizers. Final donations would trickle in for Remington County Child Protective Services, and the Top Couple would be awarded their winnings. I wanted that money for Annie so badly I could taste it.
Unable to trade shifts, I had promised to meet Annie at the Grudge, where the Bluebirds had overtaken the stage to make the announcements. Tourists gathered alongside townies to cheer on the couples before the house band took over for the evening.
Glancing around the bar, I laughed to myself at the visible divide between the Sullivans and Kings. Despite the crowd, we each stuck to our sides of the Grudge. I spotted Annie instantly, tucked into a corner with Lark and Wyatt. My brother saw me and gave a wave before gesturing for me to come over.
We greeted each other with handshakes, side hugs, and hellos. Like a magnet, I was drawn to Annie’s side and smiled down at her. “You look gorgeous. You ready to accept your money for Outtatowner’s Top Couple?”
She laughed softly, but her eyes cast downward. I couldn’t read her expression, but I also couldn’t deny that something was still a bit off with her. I placed my arm across her shoulder and pulled her into me. “It’ll all be okay.”
Her hand found my abs, and her other arm wrapped around my waist. She fit perfectly. “Hey,” I whispered. “This is the best day of my life.”
Before she could respond, Ms. Bug and Aunt Tootie walked onto the stage and up to the microphone. Bug cleared her throat and began. “Good evening, friends. We just want to take a moment of your time to announce our final totals for Outtatowner’s Matchmakers' Gala. Through generous donations, incredible auction items, and ourfamousMatchmakers' dates, we have successfully raised a record-breaking thirty-two thousand, four hundred dollars, and fifty-eight cents!”
