Page 17 of Embracing Easy

Amelia's expression softens. “I'm so glad to hear that, honey. That's why I write—to give people a little escape when they need it most.”

Shawn clears his throat. “Well, since you're here, you might as well stay for dinner. There's plenty.”

“Oh, I couldn't impose—” Amelia starts, but I cut her off.

“Please stay!” I blurt out, then blush at my eagerness. “I mean, if you want to.”

Amelia laughs, clearly entertained by my enthusiasm. I should probably be embarrassed, but I'm not in the slightest. It's Amelia-freaking-Shea, after all. “I wish I could, but I've got dinner on the stove.” She points over her shoulder to the house next door. “But how about we get together for coffee tomorrow? I'd love to hear more about how you ended up here in Miami.”

My heart soars. “That would be amazing!”

“It's a date. Easy,” she says as a farewell before turning around and leaving the way she came.

“Wow,” I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “That was... Wow.”

Shawn chuckles as he pulls the steaks off the grill. “I take it you're a big fan.”

“Definitely a big fan.”

As he moves to set the plate in front of me, his hand brushes against my shoulder, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me.

“You okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.

I take a deep breath, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling. “I'm just... overwhelmed, I guess. In a good way,” I quickly add. “Everyone's been so nice to me. You, your friends, especially G, and now meeting Amelia... it's a lot to take in.”

Shawn moves around the table and takes his seat. When I look back at him, his expression has softened. “You deserve it, baby. You've been through hell.”

Glancing down at my plate, I suddenly feel vulnerable. “I just hope I can make it work here. The job interview tomorrow... I'm excited, but I'm also terrified. What if I mess it up?”

Shawn reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch sends tingles up my arm. “Hey, look at me.”

I lift my eyes to meet his, and the intensity I see there takes my breath away.

“You've got this,” he says firmly. “You're smart, you're capable, and you've proven that you're a fighter. They'd be idiots not to hire you.”

His words wash over me like a balm, soothing my frayed nerves. “Thank you,” I whisper, fighting back tears.

Shawn squeezes my hand before letting go. “Now eat up. Can't have you fainting from hunger during your interview tomorrow.”

I laugh, the tension broken.

As we dig into our meal, I can't help but steal glances at him. The way the setting sun catches his profile, the easy smile that plays on his lips as he tells me another outrageous towing story. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, that I should be focusing on getting my life back on track after the train wreck with John. But I can't deny the pull I feel toward this man who has taken me in without a single hesitation.

As the night wears on and the stars come out, I find myself wishing this moment could last forever.

Here, in Shawn's backyard, with good food and even better company, I feel safe.

I feel like I belong.

Chapter Eight

Easy

I hook up the piece-of-shit Camry to my truck and stand. Sweat runs down my spine, but I barely notice. My mind's been elsewhere all damn day, stuck on a certain blonde with legs that go on for miles and eyes that could drown a man.

I'm so fucked, and I'm not even mad about it.

I haven't been able to think straight since Lexi showed up on my doorstep.

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