I flinched.
“I’m right,” she pressed. Her voice lowered and she leaned forward. “Honey, I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose someone I love. And to lose more than just one person is unfathomable. So I would never tell you to get over it or move on, because that timeline is something that only you know.”
My throat tightened and I blinked rapidly to fight the tears that threatened. That had to be it. Because I’d been fine until I got back here. I’d faced my grief and moved on. At least, I thought I had. But the guilt. The look of hurt and disappointment on his face as he left our home the last morning he was alive. When would I be able to lay that down?
Jodi grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight. “I miss my brother, Devon. I do. But he is gone. He’s been gone for five years. We are entirely different people now. You deserve to be happy. And if Aaron makes you happy, then why not let him?”
Because I will not survive losing another person. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I don’t think I know how.”
Ceci let out a low, throaty laugh and leered at me. “Oh, I’m sure Aaron would be happy to remind you. Over and over and over again.”
They laughed, and I forced a smile. “It’s not that simple.”
“Oh but honey, it can be,” Ceci said.
Jodi nodded in agreement. “No one’s saying you gotta marry the guy.”
“Look,” Ceci said, “Where’s the harm in seeing where things go?”
“Because...what happens when I leave?” It wasn’t just me I was worried about.
“What if you don’t?” Ceci’s voice was soft.
I put my head in my hands and groaned.
“Okay, okay, let’s not worry about that part. One day at a time. Remind me: when do you get all that mess off?” Jodi gestured at my jaw.
“So the kisses can turn into other things.” Ceci leered again.
“You two are the worst,” I said, grateful for the shift. “Not soon enough for the two of you, apparently.”
I took a sip of my smoothie and felt my chest loosen a smidge. Could I do what they were suggesting and take it one day at a time? Aaron didn’t take unnecessary risks. He wore his seatbelt. He was healthy. Wasn’t a firefighter…at least not yet. Aaron was tailor-made for me to take a chance on.
15
AARON
I IGNORED THE pitiful look that Daisy gave me as her tail thumped the floor. “You’ll be fine here at the station, girl. You’re surrounded by all your favorite guys, and about a million kid hands will be here later to pet you.”
Chief took in the scene as he walked up behind me, then bent to give Daisy a scratch. “She staying with us?”
“Yeah. Daisy’s always a hit with kids, and since students from the Montessori school down the street are coming, she’s yours for the day.”
He grunted, a knowing look in his eyes. “You love it when those kids come. You got other plans? Maybe some that involve a certain blonde?”
I shook my head. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
He smiled. “That means yes.”
I gave him a pointed look. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t blab to the entire station about it.”
He held his hands up innocently. “I would never.”
I snorted. “You’re itching to text my brothers.” But even Chief’s nosy, meddling ways couldn’t put me in a bad mood. I gave Daisy one last scratch behind her ears, then headed out, my steps light. Devon had invited me over, and in my book, that was definitely a step in the right direction.
The sun shone bright and the humidity was thick, a combination that felt like Mother Nature insisting that even though the calendar had flipped to September, we were nowhere near being let up on heat-wise. I didn’t mind it; never had. I rolled the windows down in my truck as I drove the short distance between the station and Devon’s house, waving at the runners and dog walkers as I went.
I considered stopping at Daily Dose but decided against it. I didn’t feel like going a round with Jodi, and based on the scene there the other day with Devon, I had a feeling I’d get the third degree from her. So I grabbed smoothies from another spot instead.
It was ten o’clock by the time I rolled to a stop in Devon’s driveway. My phone buzzed with texts and I pulled it out.
Will
I went by your house. Where are you?
Price
He’s going to Devon’s. You gonna show her your muscles?
Will
Pfft. What muscles?
I rolled my eyes. Of course Chief blabbed. It’s precisely what I asked him not to do, which in hindsight was a bad idea.
I’m here to help a friend. Which you two would know nothing about.
Will
