Page 73 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Something loosened in his chest. “But you are going to see him? Your ex?”
The look in her eye told him it was true.
“It’s a long story, but I need to face Daren. I need to tell him why I left.”
“You don’t owe that jerk-off anything,” he said through a tight jaw.
“No. But I owe it to myself,” she said slowly, firmly. “Things are unresolved between us. I slunk out of that place before daylight, like a frightened girl. I need to prove to myself that I’m not that girl anymore.”
Lawson picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth. “I’m going with you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’ll be back tomorrow night. I need to do this on my own, Lawson.” Fire sparked behind her eyes. She wasn’t angry, she was determined.
Every muscle in Lawson’s body was tight. No part of him wanted to see her go back to Charlotte. Not because he was jealous—maybe just a tiny part—but he also didn’t want to see her get hurt again. “If he so much as looks at you wrong, you call me.”
A soft smile bloomed on her mouth. “Deal.” She outstretched her hand.
“We haven’t made a deal in a while.” He took her hand, rubbing his thumb along her smooth skin. “I mean it. I protect the ones I care about.”
“Which means you care about me.”
“Of course I care about you. I care a lot about you.” And that was as close to relaying his feelings as he usually got.Never show fear. Guard your feelings, boy.His father’s voice was as clear in his head as the truth about his feelings for Julie were in his heart. He pushed both away.
“I care about you, too.” She stabbed another bite of pancake, putting it in her mouth and chewing. “Flipping the tables now. Let’s talk about you. How’s work going?”
Lawson leaned back in his chair. He’d prefer being in bed with her. “Great,” he lied. “I spoke to my commander this week and I’m returning to regular duty next week.” That wasn’t a lie, unfortunately.
Julie straightened. “That’s awesome news, Lawson. I’m so proud of you.”
“You’re the one doing great things in this town.”
She blushed a little. “I love this town. It’s my home. When I was young I couldn’t wait to leave, but now that I’m back…” She shrugged. “I’m here to stay.”
Lawson watched her. He hadn’t lied when he said he cared about her. He wanted her to be happy. God knows she deserved a little bit of joy after her shitty ex. That’s why he needed his transition back to regular duty to go as smoothly as possible next week. He belonged where Julie was, and Julie belonged here. That was as clear as the desire in her eyes right now. “Again?” he asked. “You can’t get enough of me, can you?”
She grinned, shaking her head and setting her fork down.
“I’ll grab the check,” he said.
—
The sun was just coming up as Julie passed the sign letting her know that she was leaving Seaside behind. But not for long. Seaside was her home now, and there was no sweeter place.
Except maybe in Lawson’s arms.
A warm feeling ran through her as she retraced the details of the night before: making love, having dinner, Lawson telling her that he cared about her. She could put a lot of meaning behind those words if she wanted to. Maybe “care” really meant he loved her. Would that be so bad? To be loved by Lawson?
Smiling to herself, she veered onto the interstate. It would take another three hours to reach Charlotte. Daren would just be waking by the time she arrived. And hopefully he’d be in a good mood. If he was feeling rational, they’d agree that they were never good for each other. Then they’d part ways amiably, and Daren would give her a glowing reference when Mr. Banks called next week. That was the best-case scenario.
Julie’s phone beeped beside her. She’d respond later, when her hands and mind were free. For right now, she’d just keep basking in the memory of last night. Hopefully there’d be many, many more of those in her future, which she could begin enjoying just as soon as she handled her past, once and for all.
Chapter 21
Lawson tossed his phone on the bed beside him and willed himself to get up. Julie wasn’t answering her texts. He’d spent the last several weekends with her. But today he’d be flying solo.
He sat up and reached for the T-shirt beside his bed. He’d promised Allison at the Veterans’ Center that he’d go over one weekend and do some more handyman work. Today was as good a day as any. He reached for his phone again and tapped in Griffin’s number, hoping to score an accomplice to his good deeds.
“Work? On my day off?” Griffin asked, sounding about as excited as Lawson was about the fact that Julie was spending the day with her controlling ex.
