Page 43 of Wood You Knot

“I’m free pretty much every weekend, so whenever works best for you guys. I know Parker sometimes works on the weekend.”

“He’s got a job on Saturday, but we could do it this Sunday if you’re up for it?” she suggested.

“Okay.” I nodded. “We could meet up at the beach on Sunday during golden hour.”

“Golden hour?” Tabitha looked confused at the term.

“It’s the period of daytime shortly after sunrise and before sunset, when daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. I love taking photos at that time; to me, it’s the ultimate magic hour.” I couldn’t help but get excited about the prospect of doing their photos, and it came out in my voice and expression. Bryson twisted to grin up at me, like he could sense my elation.

“That sounds perfect,” Tabitha replied. Then she shook her head as if remembering something important. “Oh! That reminds me…the girls have been asking if Daphne and Riley can come over for a sleepover this Saturday night. Would you be okay with that?”

I studied Tabitha for a beat, trying to suss out if she was doing this intentionally. I narrowed my eyes with suspicion. “Are you doing this because Nix asked me out Saturday night?”

“What? Did he really? That’s awesome!” Tabitha exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement. She did seem genuinely surprised when I nodded. “I had no idea. The girls just really wanted to do a sleepover, but that works out, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess…” I trailed off, conflicted. “Daphne can sleep over, but…” I sighed, bringing a hand up to massage my temple. I’d developed a bit of a stress headache, worrying about everything. Tabitha could sense my discord, and she leaned forward against the counter.

“What’s wrong?” she asked gently, her blue eyes prodding.

“I called off my engagement a few months ago. I feel like it might be too soon to be dating again.”

Tabitha nodded thoughtfully as she continued studying me, working over what I’d said in her mind. “Honest question…do you really feel like it might be too soon, or are you just worried about what other people might say?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, lifting my shoulder in a shrug.

“Are you over your ex?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. There wasn’t a question in my mind about that. Aside from the initial sadness of realizing everything we had was a farce, I’d realized early on that I didn’t miss him, I just missed the idea of what I thought he was, and what we could have. When Warren showed his true colours, it’d given me the serious ick.

If he were to come here and beg for me back, I’d slam the door in his face without even considering it for a moment.

“And are you…interested in Nix in that way?” she prompted, raising her eyebrows.

I was quiet, thinking about it. I’d always felt a deep attraction to him, and I knew him well enough to know he was kind and good. “I am, but…”

I was unsure how to explain my churning thoughts to Tabitha. She was his sister-in-law, and I knew she cared deeply for him. But I’d been burned before by the “good guy,” and although I truly didn’t think Nix was putting on a show, I was still hesitant.

What if it didn’t work out between us? What if that changed the dynamic of my new friendship with Tabitha? What if it made things awkward for us both around town?

“You’re scared of being hurt again?” Tabitha surmised, and I nodded.

“I came here to build a life for myself and my daughter, not get tangled up with another man who I’d have to change everything for.”

Tabitha straightened and exhaled, nodding as if she understood what I was saying.

“I get it, I do,” she said gently. “But I don’t think Nix would ask you to change anything about yourself or your situation. He isn’t that kind of guy. You can still build that life for yourself and your daughter, and date Nix…or someone new. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”

“I guess you’re right…”

“I know I am.” She smirked cheekily before growing serious. “But as for the whole timeline thing, the ‘when is too soon?’…I think that answer is different for everyone. I think the time is right when you’re strong, when you’ve learned more about yourself from the situations you’ve had to overcome. When you can listen to your own judgment and intuition.”

I nodded, my fingers curling around the mug in my hand.

Chapter Fifteen

Sage

Halfway through my workday on Wednesday, my cell phone rang. Uncle Ed had a check-up appointment with his cardiologist, so it was just me manning the store again. It wasn’t busy at all—in fact, we’d only had a few customers earlier on in the day.

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