Page 106 of Trusting Tanner
“I seriously can’t thank you enough, Xander.”
His heart stopped, and his eyebrows shot up. What the fuck was Juliana doing here? Better yet, why was she here with his brother? Too stunned to move, he stood there, junk food in hand, when Xander and Juliana rounded the corner. She was dressed in jeans and a V-neck sweater. Her hair was windblown, and her face was rosy red, probably from the cold. She was, as always, breathtaking.
“Tanner,” she said, almost like she was surprised to see him.
Xander smirked. “Surprise!”
Tanner narrowed his eyes. He set the soda and chips on the foyer table and crossed his arms. “What’s going on?”
“I’m giving you an early Christmas present.” Xander nudged Juliana forward. “I got her here. Don’t fuck it up again.” He lifted her bags. “I’ll take these upstairs and put them in the guest room. Tanner can show you where it is when you’re done.” And then Xander disappeared upstairs, but not before giving her a wink. A knowing smile passed between them.
“I’m sure you probably have a lot of questions, but if me being here bothers you, I can go.”
“No.” He shook his head harder than necessary. “I want you to stay.”
“You do?” Her eyes widened, and her voice went up an octave. Why did she sound so surprised?
“Yes, I do.” He rocked on his heels.
Juliana smiled, and he swore his knees were going to give out. “Okay then. I’ll stay.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded.
“So, uh, I don’t mean this to sound rude, but what are you doing here?” He tucked his hands in his pockets, afraid if he didn’t, he’d pull her into his arms and kiss her. Last time he’d gotten close to her, it hadn’t ended well, and he didn’t want to put either of them through that again. Although, knowing she was here, maybe she was willing to give him a second chance. That’s all he wanted for Christmas. Her.
She kept her head down, her gaze trained on the floor. “Are you sure it’s okay I’m here?”
“Of course.” Hesitantly, he put his thumb under her chin and tilted her head so she’d look at him. Her eyes were wide and wet with unshed tears. His heart clenched, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms.
“I’ve been traveling for hours. I really want to get settled and wash up before I have to meet your parents. Then maybe we can talk?”
Hope sparked in his chest. He had no idea what Xander had said to her, but she was here, and she wanted to talk. That’s all that mattered. “Right. Sure. C’mon, I’ll show you the guest room.”
“Thanks.”
Tanner led her upstairs to the room next to his. Her luggage was on the bed, and Xander was nowhere to be seen.
“My parents are in the city doing some shopping. They should be back soon, though, so when you’re ready, come knock on my door.” He pointed to his room.
“I will.”
He hesitated in the doorway. “I don’t know what Xander said or did to get you here, but I’m glad you are.”
She stepped up to him and placed her hands on his chest. “Me, too.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Juliana had met Tanner’s parents yesterday afternoon. She’d been nervous as hell, and she had to consciously talk herself out of throwing up all over everyone’s feet. But they’d welcomed her eagerly and warmly. His mom had even hugged her, which was a total surprise. As if all that wasn’t enough, she’d had to stand there and listen to Tanner introduce her as “a friend from college.” Talk about a knife to the heart. She hadn’t expected those words to hurt so much.
Gathering all of the courage she didn’t have, she stepped out of the guest room and headed for the stairs, hesitating outside Tanner’s door. She’d tossed and turned all night, thinking, agonizing over how to act, what to say when she finally talked to him. Seeing Tanner yesterday was hard. The way he’d looked at her brought back every single emotion she’d ever felt toward him, and it had been almost impossible for her not to blurt out how much she missed him and wanted him. It wasn’t that easy, though. They both had a lot of hurt to get over, and she wasn’t sure they could.
“Oh, hey, I was just coming to find you.” Xander climbed the stairs, his gaze darting toward Tanner’s bedroom. “He’s in the kitchen.”
Nodding, she followed him downstairs. Sure enough, Tanner sat at the kitchen table with Ryder, smiling. Her heart thundered in her ears, and she was frozen in place, debating whether she should go to him or stay where she was. But then he looked up at her, and all the breath left her body. She swallowed hard.
“Good morning,” Tanner said.
