Page 83 of Crazy for You

She sank her hands into the warm earth, pressing into place one of the many dazzling red poppies she’d selected for the memorial gardens. She scooped fresh potting soil over the roots and sat back, dirty hands on her knees. She still had dozens of poppies to go, but already she could see her vision starting to unfold, and it was perfect.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Ryan said from behind her.

She looked over her shoulder, surprised to see him standing there, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. “What are you doing here?”

“Saw you as I was driving home. Thought I’d stop by and see how the memorial was coming along.”

“It’ll be finished this week.”

He came to stand beside her. “These red flowers remind me of your tattoo.”

“They’re the same. Red poppies.”

“You told me they represent fallen troops.”

“Yes.” She touched the flower she’d just finished planting. “Derek’s birthday is next week. I haven’t been to visit him in a while. Thought I might go.”

“His grave?”

She nodded. She visited Arlington National Cemetery every few years. It was a special honor that he was buried there, but sometimes she wished he were here in Haven, beside their mom, where she could visit him more often. Of course, that wouldn’t matter soon anyway…

“I haven’t been in a while either,” Ryan said. “Mind if I tag along?”

“I’d like that.” She stood and let him pull her into his arms. “I know he would, too.”

Ryan’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t say anything.

Stubborn man. “He would. You know that, right?”

No, Ryan wasn’t so sure about that at all. He had a good idea Derek might turn over in his grave if he caught Ryan and Emma fooling around together in DC. But it had been too long since he’d visited his friend’s grave. He could clear his schedule at Off-the-Grid for a few days next week and go with Emma. He owed his old buddy that.

“You got plans tonight?” he asked.

Emma nodded. “Girls’ night.”

“In that case, I’ll see if I can convince Trent to stay home from the club and hang out with his boring big brother.” He cracked a grin.

She laughed. “Who’d have thought anyone would ever call you boring?”

“Not me.”

“You’re settling down,” she said.

It’s what he’d come home to Haven for. He’d wanted to leave his nomadic, hell-raising lifestyle behind. But to hear Emma say it? While she was looking at him with those big, blue eyes that seemed to see right into his soul? He had the sudden, irrational need to take off on his bike, go in some seedy bar somewhere for a cheap beer and…no. Even in his imagination, he couldn’t fathom picking up some random chick and sleeping with her the way he used to. “I’m the same guy, Emma.”

“Just with a pickup truck so you can take your brother out for burgers, a business that’s one-third yours, and the first girl you’ve ever dated long enough to call her your girlfriend.” She tipped her face up to his, still smiling, but there was an edge to her words.

An edge that sliced deep into his chest. “That sounds awfully?—”

“Domesticated? It’s okay, Ryan. Your secret is safe with me.”

“I—”

“Sh.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Don’t say anything stupid right now to ruin the moment, okay? I promise I’m not fishing for anything more from you. I’m leaving town in a few weeks anyway.”

“I wish you weren’t.” The words just slipped out, and he immediately wanted to take them back. “But I mean, I’m glad, too. You’re chasing your own dreams for once, and I’m so happy that you are. It’s just…I’ll miss you.”

“Me, too.” Something incredibly sad slipped across her features. “It doesn’t have to be good-bye, though.”

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