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“Hi.”
Tucker stopped just inside the entrance, looking around. Was he here to buy something? Maybe he needed a decorated cake.
“May I help you?” I asked in the same voice I’d used with every other customer that day.
That got his attention. He finally directed his stare at my face. For the first time since our encounter in the woods, I felt that undeniable spark.
Crap, it was going to suck to walk away from this.
“Your sister said you’d expect some big gesture,” he said, not budging from his spot. “That just saying I’m sorry won’t do.”
I frowned. “Gesture? My sister?”
He’d talked to my sister about me? That made sense, I guessed. She’d been at the worksite alone most of the week, helping me avoid Tucker.
“But I didn’t have time to find wildflowers to bring you.” Tucker glanced over his shoulder. “I think the closest florist is a half hour or so away.”
I had no idea. But I was more interested in hearing about that grand gesture. Did I dare get my hopes up?
“I shut myself off from the world when Angela died,” Tucker said. “I didn’t realize it until this week, but I was afraid to care about anyone.”
“That makes sense.” I nodded. “After a loss like that.”
“But that’s not why I pushed you away.”
I held my breath. This was it. This was where he’d break my heart.
“I never really considered how I’d feel about moving on,” he said.
Sighing, he looked around. That was when it became clear. He was gathering courage. This conversation wasn’t easy for him.
“So, when I met you and we…” He winced. “Well, you know. That was when it all came rushing in. For the first time, I let the guilt through.”
“Guilt about moving on?” I asked.
He looked at me again. “Guilt over it seems the natural response. I should feel like I’m betraying her. Instead, it feels like you’re the person I’m meant to start a family with.”
Adrenaline rushed through my body. It was as though, for the first time in days, I could breathe.
“I hope that’s not too much.” He took a half step forward. “It’s all I can think about all of a sudden—this feeling that you’re the missing piece of the puzzle.”
“It’s not too much,” I somehow managed to say. “It’s exactly how I feel.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know it’s not a grand gesture, but I’ve been a complete ass. I’ll bring you wildflowers, I promise.”
I shook my head. “Just buy me a cake on our anniversary.”
He might not completely understand what the cake was about, but he smiled and nodded anyway. “Now, how about we head over to Scoreboard for some dinner?”
Wow. Had he read my mind? Only now, instead of drowning my sorrows, I’d be celebrating. And that celebration would be with the man I loved.
EPILOGUE
TUCKER
After a long, hard day of work, home looked better than ever. I’d grab a beer from the fridge, kick back, and watch my two-year-old play.
“No!”
