Page 26 of Bidding on a Second Chance
“Bryce went out for basketball, and that will be really good for him.”
The corner of her mouth edged up, and she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. “And I don’t know what you’re bringing to dinner tomorrow, but whatever it is will be delicious, so that’s something to look forward to.”
He was part of the positive she’d named? His decision to leave their relationship in the past shouldn’t be so easily shaken. But from what she’d said, fear was the only thing standing between them, and he didn’t believe in letting fear call the shots.
She studied his face. Was that a glance at his lips?
The knit of her sweater shifted against his fingers as she wobbled back. “I bet Teddy’s chewed his way out of his pen by now.” She shuffled until her scooter pointed toward the main part of the store. Moments later, she was gone.
* * *
Graham and I don’t work. Remind me why!Piper stabbed the text to Lucy into her phone.
Graham cared. It’d been all over his face in the back room just now. Her heart pumped like a train engine set to chug right off a cliff. What if hemorethan cared?
There was no use sending the message, since she knew what Lucy’s answer would be: she didn’t see a reason.
But therewerereasons. Bryce might benefit from having Graham in his life as a mentor, sure, but not as an interim father figure. Having Piper was one thing—Bryce’s mom had split shortly after he was born. But Bryce loved Ryan, and he’d resent anyone trying to fill his father’s shoes.
Anyway, Graham wouldn’t be a father figure unless Piper married him, and she couldn’t. Not when she might build a life with him only for tragedy to take one or both of them. Or for him to come to resent her stand on children.
Graham needed to keep his focus on Bryce. Help Bryce. Help with the Rasinski benefit. But stay far, far away from Piper’s already bruised heart.
Everyone had already suffered more than enough.
Graham exited the back room. Light from outside cut around his broad shoulders as he advanced out the back door. As he returned two minutes later, she noticed the cold draft. He must’ve propped the door open to carry in the rest of the bed. She ought to go help with the door like an adult. After all, Teddy was sleeping, not chewing his way through the cardboard, and it’d be nice if some of the heat stayed in the building.
She gulped and grappled with the scooter. Graham, on his way out to the parking lot, took in the sight of her, his features serious, blue eyes clouded with regret that hadn’t been there moments ago. He hesitated as if he wanted to say something, then silently passed her.
He was a good guy. One of the best. And here they both were, getting their hopes up. Why had she agreed to let him help like this?
Maybe she wanted to be wrong. Wanted to believe she didn’t need to live in fear of the other shoe dropping. She’d never stopped missing Graham. That was why she’d never deleted him from her phone. She’d taken small comfort from seeing his name right there, next to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s.
Grandma and Grandpa. She should’ve mentioned them when Graham instructed her to focus on her blessings.
He returned, carrying the side rails. She opened the door and let him inside. He was good for her, but only if she kept him at a distance.
She’d said goodbye to him two years ago and hadn’t looked back since. Surely, she could last a couple more weeks until Christmas.
She’d ended up needing him, but that didn’t mean she needed to end up loving him.
ChapterSeventeen
Bryce entered the front door of Second Chances, arms loaded with boxes of candy bars. Tyler Snowden’s mom, Heather, followed him in with more cartons. Coach Greely had distributed the candy bars this afternoon, the day before Thanksgiving, and just in time for Piper and Bryce to deliver them to the stores that had agreed to help the team. Dropping them off now meant most of these would sell on Black Friday, kickstarting the team’s fundraising efforts.
Ally fetched a cart, and she, Heather, and Bryce deposited the load of sweets on its shelves. Piper donned her coat.
“You’ve got it from here?” Heather held the door while Piper and Bryce trooped out to the sidewalk.
“Yes, thank you.” Piper rested a hand on her nephew’s shoulder. “Bryce here’s going to push the cart. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Okay. Have fun, you two.” Heather waved and returned to her minivan.
Piper and Bryce started down the sidewalk, the cart bumping over the cracks. “When you talk to each of the shops, be sure you thank them for doing this, okay?”
“Okay.” They neared the first corner, and Bryce started into the crosswalk.
Piper grabbed the cart, stopping him. “Watch the lights.” She motioned to the traffic signal that had turned yellow. “Always make sure the walk sign is lit, and look for cars, even if it is.”
