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“You look good.”
I wanted to say that he did, too. In fact, he looked better than he had when we were teenagers. He’d filled out, his shoulders broad underneath the red-and-blue-checked flannel that hung open over a green Monroe Christmas Tree Farm shirt, and his thighs stretching his worn jeans.
I bet he’d learned a few things since we used to mess around. He’d always been attentive and skilled with his tongue and fingers. Now that he was a man, I wanted to experience it again.
Shaking that image from my head, I took a few steps back, needing to distance myself from him. Being around him stirred up feelings and emotions I thought I’d buried long ago.
“Where are you staying?”
“At the inn.” Gram had moved into a room on the first floor after the inn was closed so that she didn’t have to manage the stairs. She’d closed off the rest of the house and let it go.
I was a little concerned if there was anything living in the house that I should be concerned about. Gram’s bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room were still in good shape, even if it was outdated.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to stay there. Is it safe?”
I let out a huff. “It was good enough for Gram.”
“Why don’t you let me look at it tomorrow? I can do a quick walk-through and let you know.”
“My realtor has been through it, and he didn’t fall through a floor.”
Heath’s expression remained stoic. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
“As much as I appreciate your concern”—I really didn’t because I didn’t need him in my space—“I don’t need your help. I’m a big girl now.”
His gaze slowly perused me. “I can see that.”
My face flushed from his appraising gaze.
“If you need anything, you have my number. I built a cabin through those trees.” He pointed in the direction of some lights.
“I’m the closest to your property.”
It was close to our spot. I wondered if he’d chosen it on purpose.
“Knox’s cabin is on the other side of the mountain and closer to the road. Talon’s cabin is behind his. I’m building a cabin for Sebastian next. His will be closer to the main farmhouse. He wants to be close to Mom. We were hoping that she could watch his daughter, Ember, but with her recent health scare, he might need a nanny.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What recent health scare?”
He shook his head. “We thought it was a heart attack, like my dad had, but it was just an anxiety attack. The doctor wants her to slow down and reduce her stress. Gram didn’t talk to you about my family?”
“She talked about Lori and your brothers.”
He smiled. “She didn’t talk about me?”
I looked away. “If she did, I didn’t want to hear it. It’s not that I’m still hurt by what you did. I just couldn’t…” I couldn’t say the words.
“I enjoyed listening to her talk about you. Lila was so proud of you. How you put yourself through school and wouldn’t accept her money.”
I scoffed. “Of course not.”
“And how you built an online business and were living in a house in Malibu.”
My throat tight, I said, “I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished. I wanted to get out of this town, and I did.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” he said.
I wouldn’t have said I was happy. I would have said I felt safe and secure now that I had money. I was able to buy an amazing house and whatever else I wanted. But money wouldn’t bring Aiden home or protect him when him while he was deployed. Money had elevated my station in life and provided amazing opportunities, but it hadn’t given me lasting friendships or even a good man to spend time with. “Are you?”
