Page 2 of Needing You

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Walker’s Brewerywas fairly busy this afternoon, despite the fact that it was only five o’clock, so a little early for the evening dinner rush. As a diner waitress, I was well-versed on the eating habits of the residents in this town—but then again, Walker’s had happy hour. No wonder it was more crowded here at five than the diner normally was.

But as I scanned the faces at the high-top tables, booths, and bar, there was no sign of Will.

“Hey, welcome in,” their newest server, Rachel, greeted me. She tucked her server’s pad into the pocket of her apron. “Are you sitting at the bar, or would you like a table?”

“Actually, have you seen Will Walker around?”

It was probably silly to show up at his family’s bar and expect to find him conveniently available to chat, but it wasn’t like I had many options. I didn’t know where he was staying or if he’d gotten a place in town yet. I knew where his mom lived because Granite Springs was a small town, and I’d once delivered a custom birthday cake to her. But it wasn’t like I could waltz up, knock on the woman’s door, and ask her to tell me where I could find her son.

Jenna Walker simply knew me as Kate Preston, a waitress at Granite Springs Diner and a custom cake baker on the side. She had no idea I’d once had a secret relationship with her son for a year when we were teenagers and then fled the state after getting pregnant with what I assumed was her only grandchild.

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. Since it really was a small town, Jackson was familiar with the entire Walker clan. Everyone knew everyone around here. They were friendly and warm with him, and never once seemed to notice how much he looked like one of their own. I hated that none of them knew the truth, but more than anything, I hated myself for my role in that.

But I didn’t have a choice. Everyone knew Will Walker was a playboy who only cared about his partying lifestyle in New York City, and there was no way I wanted to introduce my young son to that world. Supposedly, Will had since hung up his womanizing ways and moved back to Granite Springs to settle down, which meant the jig was up. They all had a right to know the secret I’d kept for all these years.

“Yes, actually,” Rachel said, jerking her chin toward the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. “He’s in the back with Eric. Want me to go get him?”

No.

Maybe.

“Yes, please,” I said to Rachel, forcing what I hoped was a normal-looking smile onto my dry lips.

“Sure thing. Be right back.”

I waited nervously by the bar while Rachel skipped into the kitchen, nodding and smiling at a few locals who sat there enjoying their half-priced pints of Walker’s beer.

This would be fine. I’d come clean to Will, tell him what really happened fifteen years ago, and let him know I didn’t expect him todoanything at this point. Jackson and I had a great life, and of course he’d be welcome to get to know his son, but we had our needs covered. Ourwantswere a different story, but I’d made it a priority to take care of Jackson’s before my own at every turn.

But goodness, this was torturous. When I was pregnant and sent away, I felt powerless against my parents. I’d only been fifteen, and thanks to their sheltering, I relied on them for everything. But now? I was a grown woman who had a lot of explaining to do, and I wasn’t sure how I’d ever find the words.

A few short moments later, I caught sight of the kitchen door swinging wide out of the corner of my eye. I turned, every atom of my body already knowing it was Will before I even saw him. Awareness shot through me so fast, and the ground seemed to fall away. I gripped the bar to steady myself as his presence sucked all of the air out of the crowded bar around me.

Will’s expression hardened the second he laid eyes on me. It was the same guarded face he’d worn when we’d briefly seen each other two weeks ago, and it made my stomach knot painfully. His stride was slow as he crossed to me, and each step that brought him closer increased the rapid beating of my heart.

“When Rachel said you were here to see me, I almost didn’t believe her,” he said in a monotonous tone.

“Why not?”

“Because I figured I made myself clear at Jake’s engagement party that I’m not interested in talking to you.”

I didn’t have words, so I only pursed my lips while I fought hard to find some.

Will stared at me for what felt like an eternity, then he crossed his arms over his broad chest and looked down at me with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“In Granite Springs?”

“Here. At Walker’s. Asking for me.”

The thinly veiled pain in his eyes made my chest ache. Was he really still upset that I’d left all those years ago without a word? Well, without a word as far as he knew, anyway.Thanks to my mother.

Could he have really been that hurt? Because judging by what I’d observed in New York and the rumors that reached us here in Colorado, it wasn’t like he’d spent a lot of time pining over me. He’d probably been with more women than I cared to think about, in fact.

“We should have a seat and talk,” I said, gesturing to one of the corner booths so we wouldn’t be overheard.

Will turned and eyed the booth, then looked back at me. “No thanks. I’m good.”

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