Page 79 of Tempting the Heart

Even though we managed to make the exterior look great, it still felt like I was suffocating merely by being near my house.

My mind worked overtime trying to block out all the bad memories, fights, and one-liners meant to hurt.

I should be thrilled that this chapter might be over—that my parents had other people checking in on them now and again in a city close to medical care.

Gripping the steering wheel, I tapped my fingers to the beat of a song replaying in my head, but it did little to calm me down.

When I pulled in front of Mae’s coffee shop, I couldn’t help but feel better. It was like emotional whiplash on this island.

I stopped the truck and got out, slowly going to the coffee shop. The aroma of freshly ground beans drifted over when I opened the door. I spotted Mae, and she lit up, giving me a smile as she helped a customer.

Brad walked through the door and frowned as he made his way over.

“I see that chat we had in the park didn’t do anything,” he said under his breath as he stood beside me.

I nodded, holding my hands in front of me. “No, it did. It really did.”

He chuckled. “Well, Audrey said she caught you two fully making out in Mae’s coffee shop, but I don’t believe it. There’s no way Mae would risk a health inspector violation.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I doubt that would happen.”

“But listen, promise me you won’t hurt my sister.”

I nodded in agreement. “I’ll do my best.”

Brad let out a sigh and stared at his sister. “Sorry about your dad.”

“He’s getting good care, and it might be for the best. He’s getting out of the hospital a day earlier than expected and will be doing rehab at a nursing home.”

Brad nodded. “Mae mentioned that they won’t return to the island.”

“As far as I know.”

Brad eyed me. “Does that change things?”

I turned to face my best friend and shook my head. “I don’t know, Brad. Everything is up in the air, not to mention I still have a business to run. It’s just been the craziest week I’ve encountered in a long time.”

Brad laughed. “Has it only been a week? It feels like a year since you got back.”

“Tell me about it.”

Mae ushered us to the counter to order.

“How’s it going?” she asked, refilling Brad’s cup with coffee.

“Okay. I’ll drop off some stuff in Seattle for my mom, and then I plan to return to my hotel to decompress.”

“Do you want any company?” Mae asked, handing her brother back his coffee.

Brad laughed and started reciting gibberish as he walked away. “I can’t hear anything. La-la-la.”

“Is he always that immature?” I joked.

“Always.” She smiled, and I instantly felt like only Mae and I were in this world.

Nothing else mattered when her eyes focused on mine. It caused me to believe that maybe there was hope for us here.

“You know, I’d really like that. I’m in some weirdTwilight Zonewhere I feel like my entire life just took a detour.”

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