“And I would gleefully murder you if she asked me to.”
I sat forward, my elbows on the armrests of my chair. “The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. And I believe you. No offense, but you’ve got crazy eyes.”
A smile spread slowly across his face. “Thank you.”
It hadn’t been a compliment, but at least the death threats had stopped.
I took a sip of my beer. “Listen, I’m just trying to do my job and be a friend to Chloe.”
He nodded, his lips pressed together in consideration. “Chloe is my person,” he said. “Like mother, sister, boss, and best friend, all rolled into one tiny, angry package.”
“Fascinating,” I said. “And you’re tasked with filing her horns down every morning?”
He let out a laugh, the sound an instant relief. Thank fuck. I had hoped that he and I could eventually become friends. He reminded me of my younger brothers: loyal and reactive, but good deep down.
“How’d you meet Chloe?”
“It was after my bail hearing,” he said matter-of-factly, focus fixed on my face, as if daring me to react.
“Sorry.” I almost choked on my beer.
“I was seventeen. My parents kicked me out, and I was living on the street. Got picked up for stealing. My public defender was Chloe’s roommate. I did five months in juvie, but without any family to be released to, it was a challenge. So Lucy took me home to their apartment.
“Chloe and I hit it off, and she sort of adopted me. Kicked my ass when I was being a little shit and helped me get my life together.”
“Wow.” The magnitude of what this kid must have gone through left me practically speechless.
“Made me get my GED and go to college,” he continued. “I always hated school, but she used to drag me out of bed to get to class. It wasn’t pretty, but I managed to earn a business degree.
“She’s always on my ass about finding a better job. But she’s my best friend, and the timber industry is all I know now. In the ten-plus years I’ve known her, we’ve been through all kinds of shit together. We’ve gotten ourselves into scraps in Mongolia and Brazil and everywhere in between.”
Damn, it was hard not to admire his loyalty and love for Chloe. He probably needed to hear that from somebody once in a while. In therapy, I’d been learning that we all needed to feel seen.
“She’s lucky to have you,” I said. “You’re an exceptional employee, that’s easy to see, but you’re also an incredible friend.”
In response, his expression softened, and his shoulders lowered.
“So why did she come back?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
“Not for you,” he sneered, the defenses back in place. “Just for a change. She’s had a hard couple of years, and I think turning forty made her miss Maine. When she made an offer on your company, I figured we’d do the biz shit, let JJ and her minions loose in the woods, and be back in Seattle in two weeks.”
Huh. So she may not have come back for me, but it was possible she was staying for me. Hope exploded in my chest like a firecracker.
Karl sat back and looked out over the lake. “She wanted to be here for the summer.”
I hummed. “Because we have the best summers.”
“Given that I’ve lived most of my life putting up with daily rain, I can admit that what this place lacks in charm, Starbucks, and decent Thai food, it makes up for in dry skies.”
“Okay, I’ll take it.”
“Good, it’s all you’re getting,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’m ride or die for Chloe, and although I think I could possibly tolerate you, I’m not spilling her secrets.”
He was fiercely protective, and I respected that. It eased my soul a little to know that she had people looking out for her. Not that it surprised me. She was incredible. How could people not flock to her?
I just wanted to be one of her people. Her person, really.
The more time I spent near her, learning about the person she had become over the past twenty years, the more I fell in love with her all over again.
Because the woman I’d known all those years ago? She was perfect and amazing.
But this woman, standing a few feet away laughing, was so much more. I was desperate for a chance to show her I could be more too. That I was a better man now.
“She’s not invincible,” he warned.
I nodded.
“Now you have to answer a question for me. Why do you call her Dragonfly? She refuses to tell me.”
I put my hands behind my head, looking up at the stars. “Easy. Dragonflies are these beautiful and delicate-looking creatures. You look at a dragonfly and see iridescent shimmer and gossamer wings. But they’re deadly. The most effective predators on earth. Cunning, protective, fierce. All wrapped in a beautiful package.”
Karl let out a huge sigh. “I want to hate you Beast, but you’re making it very hard.”
“I get that a lot,” I replied, holding back a smirk.
As one o’clock approached and guests were heading out, I helped coordinate rides for those who’d been drinking, and I kept an eye on Chloe. I’d spent most of the night walking around, cleaning up, and chatting with folks. I’d expected strange looks from her guests, but no one seemed surprised to see me there. It was a relief not to have to stumble through an explanation. At one point during the evening, I’d ended up in an hour-long friendly debate with JJ over sapling management.
Celine had drunkenly retired to one of the guest bedrooms, and JJ and Karl had wandered back to their cottages not long ago. As the last of the guests left, I found a trash bag under the kitchen sink and gathered up the cups and plates and napkins still scattered around the patio. It was late, but the outdoor lighting made the space feel cozy and highlighted the water views.
