Page 8 of Need You Now

Jason pulled the pastry box toward him and away from his brother. “Emma doesn’t have a problem when I surf or jog with your sorry ass in the morning.”

Connor chewed the last bite of donut and swallowed. “She was probably on her second cup of coffee and already working on her laptop.”

“She’s more relaxed with the pier opening behind us. Besides, I have excellent distraction techniques to keep her mind off work.” Jason waggled his eyebrows.

He had reunited with his high school sweetheart when they returned to Pelican Bay. Now, the couple were planning a wedding and preparing to renovate Emma’s grandparents’ seventy-five-year-old Victorian home, which she inherited when her grandmother passed away earlier in the year.

After their crappy childhood, no one deserved to be happy more than Jace. Still, a part of Connor envied his brother’s relationship and the future with the woman he loved.

What would have happened if Connor had never left Pelican Bay? Would he and Abby have made things work?

He shook his head to clear the useless thoughts. Abby had made it clear on more than one occasion she wanted nothing to do with him.

“You okay, bro?” Jason asked.

By now, his brother knew how to tell when things were weighing on his mind. And who better to ask for advice than from someone who overcame his own obstacles to find love?

“I ran into Abby today at the beach.”

Jace raised an eyebrow. “She surfing?”

“Running. She tripped and fell. Twisted her ankle.”

“She okay?”

“She couldn’t walk on it. I helped her to her shop and got ice for her. It’s no big deal.”

Connor could feel his brother watching him.

“I know how close you were, so I think it is a big deal. What aren’t you telling me?”

“Her ankle is banged up pretty good. Her shop is opening in a week, and inside is a disaster. Dried paint trays, crap everywhere.”

Jace leaned back in his chair and smiled. “You want to help her.”

Connor hated admitting it, but his brother was spot-on, as usual. “I offered. She won’t let me.”

“Since when has a stubborn female gotten the better of you?”

“Hello. It’s Abby. Have you forgotten how stubborn she is?”

“You can be pretty damn stubborn yourself.”

“It’s different now.”

“Why?”

Connor pushed a hand through his hair. “I guess because I’m different. I’m not the kid she dated, who was constantly stoned and looking for a good time.”

“And?”

“What if she doesn’t like me this way?”

“You’re selling yourself and Abby short, man. Let her get to know a different side of you.”

Could he take his brother’s advice, or was he better off staying clear of Abby the way she wanted? Or maybe she didn’t want him to stay away and was too afraid—or proud—to admit it?

Too many possibilities to think about this early in the day. Connor grabbed a second donut, one of the few things in his life that was welcoming and never let him down.

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