Page 105 of Five Alarm Love
“You clean up well,” she said.Just looking at him made her heart feel raw.Achy.Tired.
“We both do.”The muscles on his throat worked.“You look beautiful.”After a moment, he said in a low voice, “Is cleaning up the same as coming clean?”
Her heart thudded.“Can’t say.”
Pulling a chair up next to her he, said, “Lou, you know it wasn’t me putting up that post.”
“I believe you.”
“It was Hunter.He got into my phone.”
Prickles of irritation skated along the skin of her neck.On the one hand, she could picture exactly this scenario, and a week ago, she had wanted to believe Tuli.On the other hand… “It’s clear you don’t like my cousin.And I’m not in disagreement.But are you certain?Did he tell you?”
“He hasn’t admitted the deed.But it’s true.”
“Maybe it was a mistake.You take pictures of people all the time, like here.Tonight.You could have posted the wrong thing.”
He shook his head.“I post only with permission, or I edit the photos so it’s about the scenery and the vibe and the people aren’t identifiable.”
“It’s Yukon Valley.There’s not a ton of us.People can figure out who’s who.”
“I know.Which is why—” He toyed with the white tablecloth.“Forget it.Listen, Lou.I want a second chance.I don’t want you mad at me.”
Her smile felt unnaturally tight on her face.“I’m not mad at you anymore, Tuli.Regardless of how that picture made it online, I forgive you.But that episode made it clear—we’re two different people with two very different sets of goals and priorities in life.”
“Seemed like we had the same priority several nights ago.”
“That’s unfair,” she said, dropping her voice.She swallowed against a hard lump in her throat.She would do this for his own sake.His future.“We can continue being friends.”
“I don’t know if I can go back to how it was.”
“Oh.”
“I want more.”
“You deserve more.”She stared at the tablecloth.“That’s why I can’t be that person for you.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
The sun hadgone down, and the tent illumination threw everything outside into deep shadows.Which was exactly where Tuli was hanging out.
For a social guy, he couldn’t handle all the laughter and celebration going on in front of him.The chatter and the probing questions from well-meaning people irritated him.It hurt to be this close to Lou, but so far away.
She hugged her brother and headed toward the punch bowl, chatting with friends and elders along the way.Stopping to hold a baby or bend to chat with a child.
Tuli considered—really considered—a future without a child.
A future where he didn’t post on social media and connect with hundreds of thousands of fans.
A future where he wasn’t the guy who helped put Yukon Valley on the map.
Then he considered a life without Lou in it.
Something shifted inside of him.Not being around her would be the greatest regret of all.
As he took a step toward her, his phone vibrated.He walked away from the gathering as he scrolled.
Damn.He ran through the inbox.A hundred thousand followers had done their job.
