Page 57 of To Bring You Back
He bit back his response. If he defended Adeline, Harper would take that as confirmation of a romance, and she’d share the news publicly in ways that would hurt Adeline. He had to stay focused on himself and Harper. “You and I would never be happy together.”
“You’re my best friend.”
Maybe, but she wasn’t his. “You know I’m here for you, Harper—”
“I do. Think of how much you’ve helped me. And I love what you believe. I want to know more about it. I’ll come up. We can talk for hours and hours.”
“You’re not coming here.” He mimicked the tone security used with fans. “If you need something, you can call, but if you keep after more of a relationship, I’m done.”
“So there’s more to you and this girl.”
His phone beeped, and the display showed Adeline’s name. Joy rushed in. Yes, there was more. Always had been, and if he could find a way, despite all the reasons he told himself it would never work, there always would be.
Adeline saton the back step and watched Bruce sniff the grass. Since the phone had rung four times already, she started planning a voicemail for Gannon. She didn’t want to leave another fumbling one.
“Adeline.” His smiling voice—not a recording—gave her a thrill that alone justified the call.
“Hey.” She gulped. What had been her excuse for calling? It wasn’t just to indulge her crush. “Did you have something to do with the sanding being finished when I got home?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Funny. Tegan, Drew, and Chip all said the same thing. Only they were more convincing.”
Gannon’s rich voice rumbled with laughter, his lack of further denials admission enough.
“Thanks.” She brushed dust from the step beside her. “I appreciate not having to go back up with a sander. The caulk gun and paint shouldn’t be nearly so hard to control.”
“I hired them to prep and paint the whole thing. They’ll be back Monday.”
“Gannon, that’s too much. You can’t—”
“Let me do this.” His tone warmed. “I don’t like the possibility of you falling while you’re holding a paintbrush any more than I liked it while you were holding a sander. I promised your mom I’d take care of you. I can’t let you risk your life over paint.”
She’d reached home without incident yesterday, but when she’d circled her house to check on the worksite, a photographer had shouted questions. Where had Gannon taken her the night before? Were they officially a couple? What was it like to date him?
She’d ignored the man. Still, her stomach tightened every time she thought about the questions. Whatwouldit be like to be Gannon Vaughn’s girlfriend?
Nervous energy fluttered in her chest. “My mom asked you to take care of me?”
“She said to treat you well.”
“And you agreed to.” She fought it, but he had to hear the smile lift her voice.
“Of course. You know that’s been my intention this whole summer.”
The tenderness in his tone eased past her defenses. Not a difficult task. She’d waited to call him about the work he’d hired out, but the extra time had done nothing but make her miss him more.
“I do know,” she said.
A beat, and then when he spoke again, she heard notes of gentle happiness. “What are you up to?”
Her stomach hopped like a bow against taut strings. “I’m getting ready. The crew from church is coming, and we’re working on my porch tonight.” Should she invite him to come too? If he’d asked about her plans because he wanted to get together, he probably hadn’t envisioned a group activity. Even less, a group activity that involved manual labor.
“What’s wrong with your porch?”
Oh. She’d never told him about the letter from the neighborhood association. “It needs to be replaced. A contractor from church will make sure it’s done right. Apparently with everyone’s help, it won’t be that big of a deal.”
Just as she was about to invite him, he spoke. “You should call it off. We can hire someone to do the work. Paparazzi will be there. They’ve already started writing about us.”
