Page 102 of The Candlemaker

My brother winced at that, the barb instantly deflating some of the vengeance from his expression. Only then did it seem like Jamie realized what Chandler was wearing—a wax-splattered apron over his jeans and t-shirt—and what it meant.A billionaire burning his hands to make candles for my business. For me.

His protective bluster cracked and crumbled as his gaze shifted to me. “Frankie…”

“I’m fine, Jamie,” I said.Promised.

He would always protect Lou and I like this; it was who hewas. More father than brother. But what Chandler said hit him hard.

I could stand up for myself. Defend myself. Just like I could take care of myself and manage this pregnancy on my own. But that didn’t stop either of them from showing up, because they cared. Because they love—no.

I pulled in a deep breath and sat up tall.I couldn’t go there.That was way off the deep end.

Jamie looked back at Chandler and muttered grimly, “Hurt her, and I don’t care how much money or where you disappear to…”

“Your sister has my location on her phone at all times. If I hurt her again, you have my permission to hunt me down, take all my money, and do your worst.”

Jamie tried to hide how pleased he was with that answer with a grunt and a grumble, stepping around Chandler to bend forward and kiss the top of my head.

“I’m here if you need me,” he said low.

“I know.” I smiled at him.

He made some kind of noise directed at Chandler before walking away, and I could only assume it belonged to that mysterious man language of grunts and groans and growls because Chandler just nodded at him like he understood what it meant.

Once Jamie was gone, Chandler knelt next to me and dragged a hand through his hair, the dark strands now more often troubled than tamed.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” I took another deep breath to be sure and then stood. “I’m sorry about my brother.”

“Don’t be,” he said sincerely. “If I were him, I’d want to kill me, too.”

My breath hitched, and suddenly, the need to knowoverwhelmed me. All week, it slinked through my mind like a beast in the shadows. I thought the longer I held out, the more it proved that I could co-exist—I could co-parent with him and not need anything more.

But today, now… I didn’t need him. But I wanted him. The truth hit me like a wrecking ball, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I wanted to know what happened because I wanted him to stay.

I wanted what he kept promising to give.

“Chandler.” I reached out and laid my hand on his chest, my throat tightening around the words.

“What is it?” He pressed his hand over my own.

I released all the air from my lungs and let out the question I’d held inside for far too long. “I want to know,” I murmured softly, watching his eyes widen and flicker with surprise. “Tell me why you left that morning. Please.”

“Okay.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Let me clean up inside first.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Frankie

It was almostan hour later before Chandler appeared back through the curtain, the lines on his face heavier than before.

While he cleaned up, I sat out front finishing up my inventory with the unnamed candle burning on my desk.His candle.The one that soothed my stomach…and other parts of me I didn’t want to talk about.

“I’m done,” he said, his stare flickering as if to ask,are you sure? Are you ready?

“Not here,” I blurted out, my heart thumping. I didn’t know why I felt like this—like my skin carried an electric current and my insides were made of butterflies. “I don’t want to talk here.”

I wanted a fresh slate. Somewhere private, but a place that hadn’t been tainted by all the memories my mind wanted to focus on. The way he cared for me. Held my hair back in the bathroom. Didn’t care when I puked on his shoes. Made mycandles when I couldn’t. Stood up to my brother, not on his behalf, but on mine.

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