Page 80 of Tempting the Heart

She nodded. “It kind of did. Just call me when you get back to Marigold, and I’ll stop by the hotel. I’ll have Audrey take Dottie.”

“You sure? I just feel like you’ve already endured enough being around me.”

Her eyes widened, and she slowly shook her head, reaching for my hands. “Just when you think life is going in one direction, something always seems to swoop in and turn you around.”

“I’m so sorry for the stuff my mom said. It was uncalled for.”

“She’s got a lot of hate in her heart, and I don’t know why. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I can’t figure it out.” She kept her eyes on mine. “But the one thing I know more than anything is the kind heart you have, and that’s all that matters.You responded precisely as you should have. No apologies necessary.”

“I knew it would have worsened things if I started yelling back at her. Both my parents thrive off that. It’s like refilling their tanks.”

She shuddered at the thought. “It definitely wasn’t the time or place. Honestly, it would have been awful if you gave any of the comments the time of day. Gives them too much power.”

“Agreed.”

She dropped her gaze. “Would you like an iced Americano for the road?”

“How’d you guess?”

“It’s what I do.” She smiled, reaching for a large cup and filling it with ice before she pulled the espresso shots.

I reached for my wallet, and she shook her head. “It’s on the house.”

“I can’t let you keep doing this.”

“Then buy me drinks tonight.” Her eyes stayed on mine for an extra beat, and I felt that familiar charge run through me.

She handed me the drink. “And promise me you won’t overthink things and overanalyze stuff. You aren’t your parents. Your parents aren’t you. Tyler, you’re an amazing guy.”

I took a sip and smiled. “I don’t feel quite so amazing at the moment, but give me a few hours, and I’ll try to rally.”

Mae chuckled as I tapped my fingers on the counter. Her gaze fell to my hands.

“You’ve always done that when you’re nervous. Nonstop.” She kept her eyes on mine. “But you don’t usually ever do it around me.”

I took in Mae’s delicate features, the concern in her eyes. She looked hopeful and at peace—the exact opposite of what I felt.

I’d always been aware of my flaws or those of my parents and couldn’t quite figure out my place in the world. Maybe that was why I had to have two homes. I just didn’t feel like I fully belonged anywhere.

But that changed last week when I ran into Mae. It felt like all the pieces to some mysterious puzzle had started slotting themselves, all because I’d found her. I even toyed with the idea of moving to Marigold and somehow avoiding my parents—all daydreams.

I just didn’t want to let her down, and I knew somehow, the version she had constructed of me over the years didn’t exist.

I would undoubtedly let her down.

And now that my parents might not be living back on Marigold in the foreseeable future, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my world was about to crash down around me.

The adrenaline pumping and nerves on edge, all for what? I didn’t know. It felt like things should be improving, freeing me up to dive into the possibilities with Mae.

She was right. I couldn’t help fidgeting right now because it felt like so much was on the line. We hadn’t crossed that physical boundary, but I knew from the kisses we shared that there’d be no turning back when we did.

I didn’t want to do that to her. She deserved better, and I didn’t want to hold her back. Mae experienced only a sliver of what it was like around my parents, and she shouldn’t have to bite her tongue or feel bad for defending herself.

Because she should never be put in a position to do so.

She deserved so much more.

“Just a lot on my mind, I guess.” I smiled at Mae. “I didn’t know you noticed that trait about me. I never even know when I’m doing it.”

---