Page 14 of Merry Mayhem
Tears threaten, the stinging feeling in my eyes, and I blink quickly to fight them back. “She died about six months before the court took Gavin away from our mother. If she was still alive, she'd have been there instantly. She'd have taken him, and he'd have been all right. But she wasn't. So I stepped in to do what she couldn't.”
“So he'd be safe and taken care of.” Cooke's voice is low and it skates across my skin. Knowing that he understands makes me feel less alone.
“There are plenty of foster families that are great. They're essential and things aren't always bad.” I drag in a breath, my shoulders coming down. I don't have to carry this alone anymore. “But I needed to be there for him. And it worked out.”
“Your grandmother would be very proud of you.”
His words hit home and goosebumps erupt over my skin when he reaches out and takes my hand. It's a simple touch, a point of connection, put it sends a shot of heat through me. My stomach flips and the hunger I'd felt before shifts to a new kind of craving.
“Thank you. She was a really bright spot in our lives. I wish Gavin could've had more time with her.” I can easily envision the way she'd look at him. He's growing into such a wonderful young man, despite the challenges in his life, and I can ultimately trace that back to her. She deserves the credit.
“She'd be proud of him, too, I'm sure. But don't fail to give yourself credit.”
“That's nice of you to say.”
His fingers tighten on mine. “Accept the compliment, Gretchen. I'm not going to lie to you. Ever. I evaluate businesses all the time and I don't hide from reality. If I tell you something, I mean it. I admire you and what you've accomplished so quicklyalready. In your own career and with your brother. I want you to recognize that in yourself.”
The tears that simply threatened earlier are back and this time, I can't hold them back. A few escape, rolling down my cheeks, but it's not because I'm sad. Not really. It's just that I haven't had someone see me and all that I'm trying to do before. And until this moment, I didn't realize how much I needed to know someone else did.
I swipe the tears away with my napkin, and wave away Cooke's concerned look. “How did you know exactly the right thing to say?”
Worry eases from his face and I'm rewarded with a smile. A real one. Wide, open, and full of caring.
“That's a relief, sweetheart. Because I was honestly afraid I'd completely messed that up.”
We laugh together and I can feel the shift between us. There's a current of understanding and connection now that we didn't have even just an hour ago. It makes me wonder where we could go from here.
The ice is broken and as our meals arrive, we dig in. There's no awkwardness now and I relax into the moment. Pure enjoyment.
And when we share the molten chocolate cake with ice cream, I savor every bite along with every morsel of detail he shares with me. I want this to last. For as long as it can.
15
COOKE
I drivethe cold roads slowly. I have the excuse that I want to be safe, unwilling to risk a slick patch that might cause an accident that could injure Gretchen. And I won't deny the protectiveness I feel for her. But there's more to it than that.
It's that when we get to her house, this night will be over, and I don't know where we'll go from there.
“Cooke?” Gretchen's voice is hesitant, and when I chance a look at her, her eyes are fixed on me.
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“You know what one of my favorite things is?” I shake my head and wait, keeping my eyes fixed on the street, while dying to learn more about what she loves. Because if I can give it to her, I will. She takes my silent encouragement. “Christmas lights. I love driving around and looking at the lights.”
“Really?” It's simple, but then again, not really surprising. She's the kind of woman who finds joy in these moments. Then shares that joy with everyone around her. “Point me in the right direction.”
The smile she shows me is dazzling, and she gives me quiet instructions, until we're at the neighborhood she assures me hasthe best display. We take it slow, navigating behind the other vehicles that have come for the same show. I see the lights, acknowledge the time and effort it's taken to create something like this for everyone to appreciate. But really, it's the play of lights across her face that I'll remember. The way she pointed things out to me, her fingers holding onto my arm, her gasp of amazement when she saw something unexpected.
I want to make her gasp like that. I want her to look at me the same way. Like I'm something unexpected that delights her.
That's when I know there's no going back for me.
I've fallen for this woman. Hard.
And I'll do anything to prove it to her.
16
