Page 29 of By Your Side

They’re quiet for a moment. Elise breaks the silence, her voice sad as she says, “Things with Jake have been off lately.”

Elise and her boyfriend Jake have been together for six years, he seems like a decent guy, but their relationship appears to be missing something.

“Oh? Off how?” Dropping to sit crisscross on my board, I hold my paddle and we just float.

She sighs. “He just doesn’t seem to care about when I try to address things that bother me. Also, we’ve been together for so long, and I have no hint that he wants to progress our relationship. He still calls our home his, even though I moved in with him four years ago. Just little things that have really built up, especially over the last year.”

Frowning, I purse my lips. I’ve gotten to know Elise fairly well since that day at the beach, but I’m not sure we’re at the stage of our friendship where I can be frank with her.

Raelynn’s expression behind her is similar to mine.

Elise looks between us. “Spit it out.”

Taking a breath, I choose my words carefully. “I can only speak from personal experience, but every time I told Scott something was bothering me, we at least talked about it. Do you want to be dealing with these same things five, ten, or even fifteen years longer? I just think if he loves you, he will at least listen to how you’re feeling and be open to having a discussion about it.”

Raelynn nods, agreeing.

Elise’s green eyes are sad as she nods. “I think I just needed to hear you say it instead of making excuses in my head. Thank you.”

We paddle for about an hour before returning to shore. Elise and Raelynn offer to come back to the house with me, but I wave them off.

“I’m okay but thank you. I think I will go home and focus on something I can control.” They nod, eyes worried as they each give me a hug and demand a promise I will call them if I want company.

When I get home from paddle boarding, Owen is waiting for me on my porch.

“What are you doing here?” I’m tired. Between the fire and the physical work of paddling around a good chunk of the lake, I really want to crash. Besides, he was an ass earlier and I don’t want to fight it out.

“I owe you an apology. The way I spoke to you earlier was unacceptable and I’m sorry.” He holds his hands up, a small smile on his face. “I know you said you don’t want to work today, but I went by Young Jae’s after leaving here and I have something for you.”

Stepping up next to him, he holds out a folder. Taking it from him, I open it to see the design for a brand-new barn.

“I really am sorry I was harsh this morning about the kittens and the hay. It might not seem like it, but it came from a good place. I’m trying to be more aware of my tone when I’m stressed or worried. This is just a prototype, but once you sign off on the design, I already have a team of people who will help build it for free, and Hank is offering the lumber at cost.” His smile is sincere as I glance back up at him, before staring again at the paper before me.

Opening my mouth, nothing comes out as we stand there, the air pulsing between us.

When I can finally speak, my voice is soft. “Wow, Owen. This is . . . Why . . . I can’t believe you did all that in the afternoon.”

The plans bring out the old charm of the original barn with some upgrades. It’s incredibly detailed and thoughtful. Every time I glance at it, I see something new. Staring at him, I can see past the gruff exterior to the generous man Owen is.

The air sparks as he smiles again, a smile I’ve never seen before. One that sends warmth through my entire body.

“Want to come in and go over it with me?” Unlocking the door, I open it and wait.

“I would love that.”

seventeen

Owen

Adeline leans in next to me, her attention rapt as I go over the plans of the barn Young Jae drafted for me this afternoon. She smells like sunshine and sunscreen.

Leaning forward, I gesture to the empty floors of the two-floor barn and say, “I didn’t have the floors designed because I wasn’t sure what you would want. What are your goals for the space? Young Jae can draw it up.”

She picks up the paper, running her finger over the lines, the gold band glinting on her ring finger, taunting me that she’s unavailable.

Glancing at her as she looks over the design, I suppress a sigh. I want her to be available. My heart and my head aren’t on the same page. My heart doesn’t care that she’s still wearing the ring another man gave her, it only wants to get closer to her.

Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

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