Page 293 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
I find her curled up on the floor in front of her desk, a chef’s coat balled up under her head as a makeshift pillow.
I look at Zach who is hovering in her office doorway.
“Get her staff out of here, would you?”
He nods and disappears.
There’s a wine glass on the floor next to Tatum, and I pick it up, setting it on the desk behind me. Then I crouch down and shift her into my arms. She groans as I stand up, redistributing her weight, but she doesn’t wake up, and she doesn’t fight me.
I don’t know where Zach took everybody, but I don’t see another soul as I carry Tatum down the hall and up the stairs to her apartment. Fortunately, she left the door unlocked, so I’m able to get inside.
Toby stands and woofs—clearly alarmed at the sight of us coming through the door—and follows us into the bedroom. I lower Tatum onto the bed, then tug off her sneakers and shift thecovers out from under her so I can cover her up. I grab a glass of water and leave it by her bed, then turn to take Toby outside. It’s almost noon, and I’m guessing he hasn’t been out since last night, but then Tatum calls my name.
“Lennox?”
I’m back by her side in a second, crouching down beside her. “Hey.” I lift a hand and smooth her hair out of her face.
She closes her eyes at the touch. “I drank too much,” she says, her voice soft.
“I know, baby. There’s water here if you want it. Then you should go back to sleep.”
“Nuh-uh, I need to work. I need—” She tries to sit up but only makes it a few inches before she frowns and winces, one hand lifting to her head.
“You aren’t working today,” I say, easing her back onto her pillow. “We got it covered, all right? I’ll send Willow over to help out. You just rest.”
She nods, her eyes closing again as she relaxes into her pillow. “I cooked all night.”
“I saw.”
“I made a mess.”
“That’s okay. We’ll get it cleaned up.” I brush my hand down her cheek one more time.
“I’m a mess,” she whispers.
My heart shifts and stretches, a sharp ache turning into a sudden heat that spreads through my torso, then out to the tips of my fingers and toes.
So this is what it feels like—this sudden certainty that I would do anything—anything—for this woman.
I swear under my breath and let out a chuckle.
Even move to California.
A tightness fills my chest at the thought of leaving Hawthorne—of leaving the farm, my family, the mountains. But one look at Tatum, and I know she’s worth it.
I’d do it. I’d leave it all behind.
I lean down and kiss Tatum’s cheek just beside her eye. “You’re my mess,” I whisper.
She reaches up and catches my hand, pulling it to her chest. “Lennox, I love you.”
Another wave of warmth washes over me. “I love you, too. Now rest.”
I take Toby outside for a quick walk, then return him to Tatum’s apartment, pausing inside the open doorway. I crouch down so we’re eye to eye, my hands on either side of his fluffy head. “We’re in this together now, all right? We’ve got to take care of her together.”
I unhook his leash, and he makes a beeline for the bedroom. The door is open just enough for me to see him jump onto the bed and snuggle in next to Tatum. “Good boy,” I say under my breath.
I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But she loves me, and I love her, and we’ll figure it out together.
