Page 299 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
An ache pierces my chest, and a wave of loneliness washes over me. I’m not sure I’ll ever have this kind of relationship with my dad. But I can have it with Bree. Maybe even Daniel if I work on it.
And I can have it with Lennox. And with the rest of his family, too.
I look at Olivia and lift my shoulders. “I am definitely, unbelievably,desperatelyin love with your brother.”
She squeals and jumps out of the Gator, then runs around to pull me into a hug. “Does this mean you’ll stay? More than just a year or two?”
“Maybe not in the catering kitchen,” I say. “But with Lennox? I hope so.”
“Who cares about catering?” Olivia says. “Now go find your man.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lennox
Toby finds me first,his wet nose dropping onto my shoulder and nuzzling into my neck.
I scratch his ears and turn to look over my shoulder, knowing I’ll see Tatum. But she isn’t there. I stand up quickly, panic rising. Why would her dog be here without her?
But then she steps into the clearing, like the sun breaking through the clouds, and my panic shifts into relief. Relief—andyearning.
She’s walking toward me, and I rush forward to meet her, catching her when she throws herself into my arms. For a split second, we are a tangle of arms and hands seeking, touching, reassuring. Then her lips are on mine, her hands lifting to slide over my beard, then down to my chest.
“I did it,” she says in between kisses. “I told him.” Another kiss. “And I showed him Mom’s notebook, and I said he couldn’t use me anymore . . .”Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.“And I told him I’m in love with you, and my life is really happy . . .” She pauses, a smile stretching across her face. “I really did it.”
I kiss her lips, her cheeks, her forehead, the curve of her neck just below her ear. “You did it,” I repeat. I lean back and grasp her shoulders so I can look into her gray-blue eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”
She nudges me playfully. “You’re just happy I’m not going anywhere.”
I lift my hands to cradle her face. “I would have gone with you, Tatum. I know it’s stupid to think you’ll stay here just for me. But if you don’t want to keep catering, if there’s work somewhere else that youdowant, I’ll go with you. We’ll figure something out.”
She leans back and looks at me like she can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. “You would have followed me all the way to California? Left your home, your family, your livelihood—just to be with me?”
I nod, not even hesitating. “Absolutely.”
“But it’sstupidto think I’dstayin Silver Creek just to be with you?” She lifts an eyebrow. “Are you the only one who gets to be the hero, Lennox?”
“It isn’t about being the hero. It’s about you being happy.”
“Youmake me happy,” she says, her saucy tone making me think of the battles we used to have over vegetables. “But also, I love it here, too. I would never ask you to leave this place, Len. This is your home. Your life.”
“You’remy life,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers.
She kisses me long and slow. “Then I’ll be your life right here in Silver Creek,” she says. “Besides, I’ve got an idea about a career I can do from anywhere.”
“You do?”
She nods, biting her lip like she’s almost nervous to tell me. “What would you say if I wanted to be a restaurant consultant?”
I smile wide. “I’d say you’re freaking brilliant. That’s perfect, Tatum. You’d be amazing.”
“Really?”
“Definitely,” I say.
“Really, really?”
I laugh. “Tatum, you saved Hawthorne, remember? Yes. Definitely. It’s an incredible idea.”
