Page 80 of Guarded Secrets
They returned from Tahoe in the early evening, exiting the highway as they drew near the outskirts of Sisters. Owen glanced at Keeley. She’d been dozing for the past half hour. Bringing her to visit Zoey and her family, sharing a picnic lunch, driving up to his home with her beside him—it felt perfect. She was perfect for him, and he’d like to think he could be perfect for her. But he knew better, he knew he’d eventually screw up and hurt her.
He parked in front of his garage and Keeley sat up. He laid a hand on her arm to stop her from opening her door.
“Stay here. I want you inside the car, doors locked, while I take a look around.” She gasped when he reached into the glove box and drew out a gun. He paused with his hand on the door release. “It’s only a precaution.”
“Be careful.”
His gaze searched hers, and he said, “I’m always careful.”
He exited the vehicle and moved around his house in the dusky twilight, motion-activated security lights coming on. He completed the circuit and unlocked the back door. He searched quickly, but thoroughly. He returned to the Bronco, tapping on the passenger window.
Keeley opened the door.
“We’re clear.”
She grabbed the bag from their picnic and followed him into the house.
She washed the thermos and a few knives they’d used that morning, setting them on the drainer. She was unusually quiet.
“I have a frozen pizza for dinner.” Her hands stilled, and Owen continued to speak. “I can put that in the oven or go into town for some takeout if you prefer.”
Not looking at him, she dried her hands. “I’m not really hungry. I think I’ll turn in.”
And just like that, the kitchen was empty.
Dark, cold, and empty.
Like it would be when she went back to her place.
Realization washed over him. She was wrong. The kitchen wasn’t the heart of the home,shewas the heart of the home. Of his home.
God he was an idiot. An absolute fucking idiot. She’d told him she’d loved him and he’d let it go like it didn’t matter. Like she didn’t matter.
He pressed his fingers into his eyes.
She loved him. Even knowing how he’d screwed up his marriage, she still loved him. She loved him and was willing to take a chance on him. And he’d been too damned scared to admit he loved her back.
And when she told him she wasn’t hungry, she’d looked sad. He felt it like a gut punch.
Hehad made her sad.
He needed to make it right.
He crossed to the hallway, flipping on lights as he went because he didn’t like the darkness closing in. He rapped lightly on the bedroom door. No response, so he cracked open the door and heard the shower running.
She liked long showers. He’d noted that already.
With a plan forming, he pulled out his phone and called Mario, his chef at Easy Money. He texted Keeley that he’d be back in forty minutes, made sure all doors were locked, and hauled ass to the Bronco.
Pulling into his parking space at Easy Money, he knew his priorities had made a giant shift. For the past three years, making his place a success had been his number one goal. Suddenly, being the man Keeley deserved had become his top priority.
He took the stairs to his apartment two at a time. In the kitchen, he searched shelves and drawers, gathering what he needed and throwing everything in a reusable grocery bag.
Down the stairs again, he pushed through the bar’s back door and walked into the kitchen as Jen was placing containers in a box. She spotted Owen and grinned.
“Got you covered, boss. Everything you need is here.” She held up a bottle and waved it. “Pinot Grigio will pair with the chicken and mushrooms. It’s already chilled.”
“Thank you for doing this, Jen.” He lifted a chin to Mario, who nodded in acknowledgment. He grabbed the box and Jen held open the door for him. “Any problems tonight?
