Page 48 of So Right
Kelsey cracked a smile. If anyone could, she thought Crystal had a good shot. She was an expert kickboxer and had a black belt in some sort of martial art. “You can’t. He’s in prison.”
She frowned in legitimate disappointment. “Damn it. But I’m glad—for you.”
Brooke shook her head. “I can’t believe everything you’ve been through. And this was just a couple of years ago?”
“Yeah, really just a few months after we moved to the area. I think being here where no one knew me gave me the courage to do what I had to. I could sort of start over as a new person. Someone who wasn’t a victim.” It had been a good theory, but as she’d learned in therapy, shedding the victim mentality was hard.
“I get it,” Brooke said. “My situation is different, but I felt so worthless after my divorce and after finding out I couldn’t have children. I didn’t think it was even possible for me to find love again. I understand why you’d want to take things slow with Luke.”
Crystal nodded. “For sure. Do you have a therapist?”
“I do. I don’t see her as much as I used to, but maybe I should make an appointment.” Duh, Kelsey would do that as soon as she left. She’d love to figure out a way to see Luke without being petrified.
Hmm, one thing would be to just not be petrified. He was Luke—warm, funny, caring Luke. He wasn’t Noah. They were absolutely nothing alike. When she’d met Noah, sparks had flown immediately. With Luke, things were a much slower burn. They’d been acquaintances, then friends. And now, maybe, they could be more.
“Thanks, girls.” She hugged them both, and they gave her a long squeeze.
“We’re here for you,” Brooke said.
Crystal squeezed her hand. “Anytime.”
They headed back toward the winery, and Kelsey felt lighter than she had in ages.
Luke hadn’t really had something pressing to do. He’d just wanted to get away from Kelsey. Being around her was torture. All he could think about was talking with her, laughing, touching, kissing. He’d retreated to the winery and now felt stupid. He’d have to learn to accept that she wasn’t his girlfriend and likely never would be. It wasn’t as if this were a breakup.
Why did it feel like one, then?
Cam came in from the parking lot. “Hey, were you pissed up there? With the archaeologist?”
Pissed was maybe extreme. “I’m not enthusiastic about someone tearing up my vineyard.”
“Me neither. I’m sure it won’t come to that.” Cam eyed Luke and seemed to weigh whether he should say more. “Anything else?”
“Just spit it out.” Like Luke couldn’t figure out what he wanted to say.
“You and Kelsey seemed frosty. Did things not turn out well the other night? You haven’t said a word, and you’re working the same relentless schedule.”
That was true. He hadn’t even taken the hike he’d planned on Monday. The hike where he’d wanted to take Kelsey to show her his Eagle Scout bridge.
No way was he going to say anything to Cam. Kelsey’s issues were hers, and he wouldn’t share them even to explain the dark cloud over his head. “Things turned out fine.”
“You’re a crappy liar, but whatever. I’m sorry. I like Kelsey a lot. You guys are cute together.”
Were. Theywerecute together.
“I’m headed outside for a bit.” Luke went downstairs and made his way out through the bottling room.
As he started up the slope, he caught sight of Kelsey. And she was coming straight for him.
Surprised, he kept walking and met her partway up the hill. They stood there for a moment just looking at each other. She wore one of her hats—a cute gray cap with a button decoration on the side. Her hair was loose beneath it, falling past her shoulders. The other night, he’d been lucky enough to touch it, and he’d reveled in its silky softness. Thinking that he would never touch it again was depressing.
She spoke first. “How are you?”
“Good.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip. “I think you’re lying. You seemed annoyed earlier.”
“I’m concerned about the vineyard being dug up.”
