Would I have fallen deeply in love with him?Somehow, I think I already know the answer to that.Probably because, as much as I’m trying to deny it, the feelings I already have for him are very,veryreal.
Garrison slides the mug over toward me.“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”I shutter my fantasy, burying it deep down, and take a sip of coffee.As the gingerbread spice dances on my tongue, I nearly groan in absolute delight.“Anastasia should have hired you.This is amazing.Where did you get gingerbread syrup in the spring?”
He laughs then winks at me.“I have my ways.And I’m glad you like it.”After rinsing everything he used, Garrison lifts his own mug and turns to face me.I find myself captivated once again by those gorgeous eyes and the way they seem to bore straight through me.
Is that why he’s so good at his job?Why he’s able to connect with the teenagers no one else can reach?
I’ve spent a lot of years living in the shadows.Choosing to remain hidden was about survival.But standing here, feelingseenby this man—it’s the safest I’ve felt in a long, long time.There’s a voice in the back of my mind, though.A warning that, even though I feel safe, I’m at risk of losing something I vowed never to offer up: my heart.
“So, I’ll give Geoff a call today and see if he can get someone over to help with my apartment.We’ll be out of your hair this afternoon.”
“You don’t need to rush out.I’d be surprised if they don’t have to completely gut the apartment.The carpet needs to be replaced, and the patio doors are destroyed.I was actually going to head over there here in just a bit so I can get them properly boarded up for you.”
“You don’t need to do that.You’ve already done enough.”I gesture toward the apartment.“I’d say we’re more than even.”I laugh awkwardly, unsure how to handle the intensity of the expression on his face.
“I want to help.”
“Because you care what happens to us,” I reply, repeating what he’d said only a few minutes ago.“Though I still can’t figure out why.I mean, until I found you on your floor, we’d never spoken.”
“What is it you said to me?Kindness doesn’t need familiarity.”He grins, and I might as well have been reduced to a puddle on the floor.
I smile at him.“Fair enough, Mr.Holt.”
He leans in, gaze sparkling with something I’d rather not look too closely at.“I’m glad you think so, Miss Ellis.”
“I still can’t believe my doors broke.I mean, why mine and not yours?”
“Did you chain down your patio furniture?”
I stare at him, half-expecting it to be a joke.“Was I supposed to?”
He arches a brow.“Around here, the wind can get pretty strong.”
Embarrassment and frustration quickly push aside everything else, and I run both hands over my face.“This is going to be an expensive fix.”
“Nah, it’ll be fine.”
“It’s my fault they broke.”
“And we can fix it.Seriously, Katelyn, don’t worry about it.”
Throat burning, I try so hard not to wear my emotions on my sleeve.How am I supposed to afford it?Will my renters’ insurance be enough to cover it?
“Katelyn.”
I open my eyes, mortified that they’re full of tears.
He steps around the counter and stops in front of me, but he doesn’t reach out.What does it say about me that I want him to?
“I’m sorry.I just?—”
“We’re going to get it fixed.”
But at what cost?
“I know.Everything will be fine.It’s just a lot.”