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Theo pulled it open and propped it with a small flower pot to let the sunshine and fresh air inside.
We were standing in a dining room. Instead of one large table there were several small wooden tables and chairs, though there was still a long table running through the center of the room.
All the furniture seemed to be made by hand and I wondered if Bear and Ezra might be able to help me restore it.
With what money, Tori, you don’t even have a job?
My heart sank as my inner voice decided to lay some logic on me in the worst possible way. I blinked back my tears of frustration. It was so exhausting to always see something you wanted dangle in front of you before being promptly snatched away.
“What just happened?” Jordan asked with a frown. I glanced around for the issue until I realized he was focused on me. “Why did the light just drain from your eyes?”
“I’m fine,” I lied as I stepped away and shot a glance at Easton, not ready to have anyone who thought I was a pampered, naive princess know more about me and my thoughts.
“She’s probably realizing this would take real work,” Easton huffed out a condescending laugh. “Something she’s never had to do.”
Each time he shot something vile my way, I expected it to hurt less. Instead, it hit me square in the chest and my stomach turned.
“You know nothing about her,” Shaye said, coming to my rescue again. “If you don’t like being here then just fucking leave. We’ve got this.”
He narrowed his eyes but Lake was right next to her, staring him down in challenge, as if daring him to say something. This time, Theo stepped up next to me and for once, Easton’s permanent scowl was replaced by surprise and his eyebrows rose in question.
Even after our fight outside the club, he thought they’d give into his bullshit. Something shifted in his expression then. It almost looked like regret.
Was it regret for finding me, hurting me, or hurting them?
I wondered if I’d ever know.
“Come on, let’s check out the entry,” Theo said. His voice was tight as he cast a fresh glare at Easton. He was taking a stand against his pack instead of letting them bulldoze me.
Jordan hung back, the two exchanging growled whispers that were far too low to overhear.
I still couldn’t figure out why he was sticking around. If Easton didn’t want to be here he didn’t have to be. I sure as fuck wasn’t asking him to stay.
Theo’s hand found mine again and he pulled me out of my head and right through the archway into the main lobby and sitting area. There was a huge stone fireplace at the center of the sitting area and the discolored and molding furniture looked like it was plush at one time.
The entire inn was cozy. I couldn’t see what color the walls were without proper lighting, but I knew it had to be something soft and neutral.
Whoever owned this inn had put their whole heart into it. The urge to bring it back to life left me breathless and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t willing to just accept defeat.
I didn’t know how I’d make it happen, but I was ready to give anything to call it mine. I’d have to research and maybe call someone about my trust fund. There were limitations on it, but maybe they’d be willing to work with me.
It wasn’t controlled by Dad at least, my grandfather had made sure of that.
The group let me explore for another twenty minutes but Lake stopped me at the base of the stairs.
“Your brother would murder me if I let you go up there, Tori,” he said, almost pleading with me not to argue.
“Okay,” I sighed. “Then, I’m ready to go.”
“So, what did you think?” Shaye asked as she hooked her arm through mine and led me back outside. She was likely just keeping distance between me and Easton, but I wasn’t going to complain.
“It’s incredible. I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life,” I admitted quietly, as if saying it out loud would break the spell and reality would slap me back to Earth at any moment.
The ride back was quiet but Theo kept his leg pushed against mine, offering silent comfort that I accepted. My mind was in chaos and I needed the reassurance.
They dropped us off outside and Shaye turned to Theo.
“Make sure he’s not a dick. I’m not kidding, I will steal her away from all of you,” she warned with a glare.
