Page 102 of Maybe You

I can only assume Sutton is either nodding or shaking his head, because he doesn’t say anything.

“Resilient,” Remy continues. “And tough. The boy’s tougher than anybody else I’ve ever met.”

“What are you doing?” Sutton asks. His voice sounds strange. Choked.

“Just having a conversation.”

“Shouldn’t you be warning me away from him?”

“What the hell would be the purpose of that?” Remy asks mildly. “Six-millimeter wrench, please, if you’d be so kind.”

There’s a metallic clink before Remy continues. “He’s a grown man with a good head on his shoulders. If he deems you worthy, why the hell would I argue?”

“Even people with good heads on their shoulders make bad calls from time to time.”

“What self-deprecating bullshit.”

I almost laugh, even though nothing about this moment is funny.

“Are you honestly telling me getting involved with someone like me would be a good idea?” Sutton asks. “Wren’s already been to hell and back, but I’m supposed to lay more crap on his doorstep and ask him to just ignore everything that comes along with me?”

I frown, because I’m really not sure what he means. What crap?

“We all have baggage,” Remy says.

“Seriously?” Sutton asks. Or maybe demands is a better word to describe the way he sounds—both incredulous and annoyed.

Remy doesn’t say anything.

Seconds tick by.

“It wouldn’t be fair,” Sutton says.

“That’s not for you to decide, is it?”

They both fall quiet after that. After another minute of feeling like I’ve grown roots and am now stuck in place, I pry myself free and sneak away from the door and then up the stairs. Then I stomp back down, making sure to make as much noise as possible.

At the foot of the stairs, I take another deep breath.

Act normal.

“Morning,” I call out. “Anybody home?”

There are footsteps, and then Sutton steps out the door of the workshop.

He looks at me.

And he smiles.

And if there really is something going on, he doesn’t show it.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hi.”

He looks at me for a long moment.

And he steps closer, until his toes touch mine.

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