Chapter 7

May

“You do not need to worry about me. I’m fine. See? The bandage is all gone.”

Lake narrowed her eyes at me before handing over my mimosa. “If you say so. But I’m glad you got a doctor’s note.”

I narrowed my eyes right back at her. “Seriously? That’s what you’re going with? You don’t believe me, so you need a doctor’s note?”

“You’re as stubborn as we are. What do you expect? You were in a car accident. A pretty bad one.”

I could still hear the tires screeching, and the sound of metal bending where it shouldn’t. The airbag had hit me forcefully—I hadn’t even realized they could do that. I knew they were supposed to help with the impact, but if that was helping, I couldn’t even imagine what it would feel like if I had been going faster. The other car had hit me at the perfect angle for all the airbags to deploy. Compounded by the fact that I was starving and slightly dehydrated, and I had been in a bad position. But the two dissolvable stitches on my forehead were gone now, and I no longer ached.

In the couple of weeks since the accident, I had returned to work, although even Luke still treated me with tiny little kids’ gloves. It was as if they were all afraid I would break. I didn’t blame them for being worried, but I still felt bad that they were all taking so much time to ensure I was safe.

“The only thing truly broken right now is my car. And the loaner from the dealership and insurance is great and all, but I really need my own.”

“So, it’s a complete loss?” Brooke asked .

“It is. And now I deal with all the red tape so I can get a new one. They totaled it because of the damage to the engine. The worst angle ever.”

“Leo was saying the neighborhood is trying to get a four-way stop there. With a flashing light or reflective surface or something. Because it’s not safe. Not with that cross traffic.”

“You spoke to Leo about it?” I asked, my stomach tensing. I didn’t know why. Leo was just Leo. Though he had been there to save me. Maybe that was why I got butterflies in my stomach whenever I thought about him. I really needed to put him out of my mind. After all, I had given up dating. Therefore, I would give up daydreaming, too, especially about a person that could be my friend. He wasn’t technically a friend yet, but he was an acquaintance. Someone I saw often, who was friends with my friends. Perhaps that could count as being a friend. But he wasn’t someone I could daydream about. He had a life of his own. And didn’t want me like that. We had been in each other’s circle enough that if he had wanted something to happen on his end, it would have. So, I wasn’t going to think about that.

“Why did you get that look on your face?” Brooke asked, a smile playing on her lips.

I took a big gulp of my mimosa and set the glass down. “I’m just thinking. What did Leo say? Was it the HOA or something?”

“The neighborhood is going to try to fix the intersection. They’ll probably contact you if they need to. If they need a statement or something.”

“Anything to help the next person. That must be terrifying for Leo, though. To have the intersection right in front of his house like that. I wonder how many accidents he’s seen.”

The girls gave each other looks, and I wanted to smack myself for asking more about him. I did not want them thinking I had a crush on Leo or something. That would only make things awkward when I saw him next. Not that I had plans to see him again, but it could happen. And they would obviously see him before I did. So, that’s what I meant—nothing else.

“Anyway, I’m glad we could all go out this morning. And I’m happy you finally said yes to mimosas and brunch.”

Brooke narrowed her eyes at me, and I snorted. “You badgered me. I figured it was time.”

“Did she keep giving you that whole spiel about how you guys needed boundaries since she worked for you and all that jazz?” Lake asked, mimicking my voice.

“We do need boundaries. I don’t want you thinking you have to hang out with me because I watch your son and Sebastian’s daughter.”

“First off, I’m so happy it’s all working out with you helping Sebastian. It’s wonderful, don’t you think?”

I warmed at the thought, even though I was still sad about the circumstances.

“I love that little girl already. And Luke is excited to practice being a big brother.”

Brooke choked on her mimosa as Lake gave her a look. “Is there something we should know?”

“Oh, no. No, no, no. But wow. That’s good to know, I guess. That he’s ready. Not that I am. Oh, my God. He told you that?”

“Yes. He told me that. I wouldn’t have just brought it up. Although, with the look on your face, I’ll have to do it more often.”

Lake held out her glass, and I toasted her with mine. “Oh, yes. Totally more often.”

“You guys are evil,” Brooke said, draining her mimosa.

“Seriously, though, we’re not anywhere near ready for babies. I suppose it’s good that Luke seems ready. But wow.”

“Pretty much. Although I wonder where he’s getting those ideas from.”

This time, it was Brooke who laughed. “Probably from the thousands of Montgomerys around him. They like children. And they always tease good-naturedly. If there was any chance Leif and I would say no to kids in the future at all, they’d back down.”

“But because you haven’t indicated that you weren’t having a child with Leif in the future, the ribbing begins.”

“Exactly. So, I guess it’s my fault.”

“You’re the one who said it,” I teased.

“And as such, we can tell you there are no boundaries when it comes to us. We are all friends. Yes, you technically work with us, but we’re friends.”

“I’m trying to be better about boundaries and things like that. I just don’t want you thinking that you’re forced to hang out with me because I work for you.”

“ With ,” Brooke corrected. “ With us. Yes, I pay your salary, but I say that because you are helping me raise my favorite person in the world. So, with.”

I blinked away tears and finished my mimosa. “You guys are too good to me.”

“It doesn’t always feel like that. But don’t worry. You’re stuck with us forever now.”

I had other friends, of course, but over the past few months, Brooke and Lake had become my touchstones, my true friends that understood me more than I thought possible.

They didn’t laugh or make fun of me when it came to my dating and the fact that it never worked out. And they didn’t try to set me up with people constantly. Instead, they waited to see what I needed and were always there for me.

We were a family, and I hadn’t even realized I had found one.

We finished our mimosas, made sure we had enough brunch in us to counteract those drinks and headed down the street. We were in downtown Denver and passed by Montgomery Ink, the original tattoo shop Leif’s father owned and operated. We didn’t walk in but waved at a big man with a beard. I recognized him as Austin, Leif’s dad.

“I have no idea how he keeps getting better-looking,” I said with a laugh.

Both Brooke and Lake looked at me, and I grinned. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“It’s okay. He’s hot. But that is the man who fathered my boyfriend. So, let’s not mention that again.”

We laughed, shaking our heads as we crossed the street and went to Beneath the Cover, the local bookstore. It was also owned by a Montgomery, which I found hilarious, considering how many businesses the Montgomerys ran in this state.

The place was hopping, people laughing and milling about, baskets full to the brim with books and other items. Although most things were digital these days, this place was doing great business, and I was happy to see it.

“I’m going to go check out the children’s section.”

“Anything you get, you let me buy. Especially if it’s for my kid,” Brooke teased as she went to the romance section, Lake right behind her.

I wasn’t ready to buy a romance book right now. I needed a break from it. But I could look for things for my job. So, that was what I would focus on.

I turned the corner and nearly ran into a very muscled man. One that made my heart pound and my mouth go dry. A man I knew quite well—or rather, didn’t know at all .

“Leo.”

Did my voice squeak? Why had my voice just squeaked?

“May?” His eyes widened, and he nearly dropped the handful of children’s books in his arms. I reached out to steady him, gripping his forearm. His muscled forearm. His thick forearm.

I needed to stop thinking like that.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to make you drop everything.”

A slight blush crossed his cheekbones for an instant before he smiled at me.

That smile did things to me—and should probably worry me more than it did.

“No worries. I didn’t see you there. And, wow. It’s good to see you up and about.”

I winced. “I’m fine, really. Thank you for saving me and all that.”

He moved as if he wanted to wave that away and then realized he was still holding the books. “Well. I didn’t know you would be in here. Or that you shopped here. It’s not really in our neck of the woods.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s a little ways away, but I was down at a café with the girls for brunch. And since a Montgomery owns this, it’s nice to keep it in the family.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He looked down at his arms. “My sister is having twin boys soon. So, I got a bunch of books for the four older girls because they need goodies, too. With the baby shower, the boys got everything. Except for a couple of people who remembered that there were four little girls who were really excited about their baby brothers but could still use presents.”

“You’re a good uncle.” I nearly melted right there. Because, wow. He thought about his nieces like that? It was really hard to focus now. “I’m trying. Anyway, I’m glad I ran into you. I actually need your help.”

I blinked. “What?”

He grinned at me, and I pressed my thighs together. Well then…that was a different reaction.

“I think I have everything, but I’m missing something for the eldest.”

“How old is she?”

He told me her age and what she liked, and I nodded. “Horse books. We’re going to want to go with horse books.”

“But she lives in a suburb. I thought horse books were for farm girls. ”

I rolled my eyes and then patted his forearm again before moving back. I really needed to stop touching him. And from the way his gaze went to where I had touched his skin, I figured he had noticed and wanted me to stop, too.

“Let me tell you something. It doesn’t matter where they live. They could live in a small apartment in New York City, and she’d still be a horse girl. It’s about the girl inside, not where she lives.”

“Please, teach me. It’s getting harder to be the best uncle when these girls keep growing up, and all their interests keep changing from things that blink and bake in a tiny little oven with a light. Things are a lot… more now.”

I laughed. “Just wait until they’re teenagers and dating, bringing boys and girls home.”

“Don’t you dare say that. Uncle Leo is not ready for his babies to date.”

I shook my head, laughed, and then went to help him pick out some horse books.

Brooke and Lake were in the back, so I walked with Leo to the front to help him with his bundles. I swallowed hard, wondering where that spark had come from and why it was still there.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“It’s no problem.”

“You only got one book. Did I distract you?”

He was a total distraction, but not in the way he thought.

“No, I only need this one. It’s a series Luke is reading. I have most everything else at home already.”

“You’re really good at what you do. You get your kids. And, seriously, thank you for helping Sebastian.”

I shook my head. “Everyone keeps thanking me for that, but I took a job. I’m getting paid to help him. It doesn’t seem so noble.”

He met my gaze, and there it was again. That weird spark. I had been wrong about it before, though. I’d thought I’d seen a spark with another and, in the end, he’d only seen his ex in my eyes before leaving me. And I wasn’t dating anymore. I couldn’t.

“Anyway, they like you. They trust you. And, yes, it’s a job because we all need to make money. I’m not altruistic when it comes to my art. I get paid. But I like it. You like it, too. And you’re helping my friend out. So, thank you.”

My phone buzzed, and I looked down, frowning.

“What is it?” he asked, the moment broken between us—not that there was a moment.

“It’s Brooke. Apparently, Leif is outside with Luke and wants her opinion on something. She went out the back with Lake and will meet me later at that boutique Leif’s mom owns, Eden.”

“Oh. So, they just left you alone with me? Not nice.”

I pressed my lips together, unsure what to say. “Honestly, I’m not even sure they noticed you were here.” I winced. “Or maybe they did, and they trust you. Or maybe I’m an adult and should just shut up now.”

He shook his head and paid for everything, whistling under his breath at the total.

“Being a good uncle adds up.”

“Tell me about it. I’m about to have six nieces and nephews.”

“I can’t even imagine. But I saw how you are with them. They like you.”

“Thanks. I like me, too.” He winked and grabbed his bags. After I paid for my purchase, I suddenly found myself standing with him outside the bookstore. Alone. This wasn’t what I had expected this afternoon. What was I supposed to do now?

He swallowed hard. “Anyway. I’m going to do something right now. And it’s probably a mistake. So don’t hit me, okay? Or, you can hit me.”

I blinked up at him, confused, and then he set down his bags and pushed my hair back from my face.

I looked up at him, my heart racing. When his lips pressed to mine, I could barely breathe.

It was a slow and gentle exploration, a meeting of lips, barely a taste. An introduction. And then, before I could even figure out what was happening or contemplate his taste, his touch, his need, he pulled away and cursed under his breath.

I blinked, stilling at the sudden tension between us.

“What? What just happened?”

He froze, his eyes wide. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

I blinked. “Why are you sorry?” A thread of fear began to weave within me, but I told myself I was mistaken. He had been the one who kissed me. I hadn’t pursued him. I wasn’t making a mistake again, was I?

“I said I wouldn’t kiss you.”

I let out a hollow laugh, confused. “Oh. Who did you tell you wouldn’t kiss me? No, maybe I don’t need to know. You didn’t want to kiss me, and you did? Okay.”

With my bag in my hand, I turned, confused and not in the mood to figure out exactly what he’d meant by what he said. He wouldn’t kiss me but was forced to? What exactly had I done to make that happen?

“That’s not what I meant,” he said from behind me. I turned, confused and hurt. Wondering why I kept being so awkward. Because this would ruin everything. I didn’t want to ruin everything.

“It’s okay…whatever you meant. Whatever, Leo. Because I know my worth. It just seems like nobody else does.”

And then I left. I texted the girls that I would meet them later and that I wasn’t feeling well.

It wasn’t a lie because I wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t feeling much of anything.

And that was it. No more sparks. No more wondering. No more first dates.

Never again.

I was done.

I would do my best not to make myself a liar. And figure out exactly what I’d meant by my worth.