Page 81 of Mountain Hero

Come right out with it? Or try more of a roundabout way? Do I bring up my feelings first or jump straight to his? Should I be serious or make a little joke about it? How much should I push if he keeps insisting he’s fine?

Ugh. I’m way overthinking this.

So I put my Kindle down and say, “Enzo.”

He sets down his screwdriver and turns to face me. “What, hun?”

“Can we talk?”

His eyebrows jump up. Worry flickers across his face. His jaw twitches. After a brief pause, he replies, “Okay. What’s wrong?”

Why did I say can we talk? That’s literally the worst way to start a conversation. I give Enzo a smile that I hope looks reassuring. “Will you come sit with me?”

“Of course.” He gets off the floor, setting some boards and bolts to the side, and comes over to sit on the couch beside me. “What’s going on?”

I take his hand, lacing my fingers between his. “Nothing’s wrong, exactly. I just wanted to talk. I’m… a little worried.”

“Worried?” Tiny lines etch between his eyes and across his forehead. “What are you worried—” He stops. “Ah, hun.” Gaze softening, he continues, “I understand. But there’s nothing to worry about. Dennis isn’t getting out of jail. Ever. He can’t hurt you again.”

“I know.” Mostly. Except in those panicked moments of weakness.

“Then what is it?” He squeezes my hand. “Is it Thomas?”

“No. It’s not that, either.” Wow. I’m doing a terrible job at this. All I’ve managed to do so far is make Enzo look more worried than before.

His tone gentles. “Winter, you can tell me anything. It’s okay.”

“I’m worried about you.” At his startled expression, I try to explain. “The last few days, you’ve been… different.”

“Different? How? I’m not sure I understand.”

“It’s hard to explain. When you’re with me, everything seems normal. But then I’ll see you alone, like working on the porch railings, or raking the yard, and you look different. Sad. Stressed. Like your mind is a thousand miles away. And… I’m worried.”

Enzo blinks. “You’re worried about me?”

“Of course. It feels like… something’s bothering you. And I wish you’d tell me so I can help.”

He stares at me, his brow furrowing. After a few seconds, he says, “I’m sorry, Winter. I didn’t mean to worry you. Everything’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine.” I grab his other hand. Holding his gaze, I say, “I know you. Maybe not for years, but it feels like I have. And I can tell something is bothering you. I get that you’re trying to protect me, but don’t. Just like you’re there for me whenever I need, it goes the same way for you.”

My voice rises with emotion. “I don’t think I’m imagining this. Am I? If we’re going to be together, really together, we have to share our feelings. Good and bad.” Sudden fear spears through me. “We are going to be together, right? I thought that’s what we both wanted. Isn’t it?”

The silence before Enzo answers seems like an eternity, even though I know it’s a matter of seconds.

“Ah, hun, of course.” He leans forward and gathers me into his arms. His lips press to the top of my head. When he pulls away, contrition fills his gaze. “Of course I do. I love you. I want to be with you more than anything.”

“Then… will you talk to me? Please?”

He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. “Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… I thought I was hiding it. But I guess… I shouldn’t have.”

“Hiding what?”

His gaze dips to his lap. “How damn guilty I feel.”

My heart squeezes at his agonized tone. “Enzo. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

Gaze lifting to meet mine, he asks, “How can you say that? It’s my fault you were there, Winter. He’s my cousin. He wanted my property. If not for me, none of that would have happened. And if not for him, Thomas wouldn’t have been at the store. He wouldn’t have dragged you along and hurt you.”