Chapter17
Katelyn
“Icannot believe you can sing like that and you held out on me,” Garrison says as we climb the stairs toward our floor.
Feeling lighter than I have in years, I laugh.“I could say the same to you.Violin is not a common instrument.”
He shrugs and opens the door for me.It’s such a simple action, but it absolutely thrills me.“Like I said, it was my aunt’s favorite instrument, so I learned it for her birthday.”
“Like I told you the other day, she was lucky to have you.”
Garrison smiles down at me, his gaze holding mine.Logically, I know I should look away.Staring up at him like this will do nothing but put me exactly where I’ve been determined not to go.
But would it really be so bad to be loved by a man like Garrison Holt?To be held in kindness?
Garrison clears his throat and starts down the hallway toward his apartment, a bag of dirty clothes in his hand.I was beyond grateful Anastasia brought us a change when she came out because, while they were dry, the clothes had stiffened thanks to the saltwater.
“Thanks for today.It was—” I sigh.“The first time in thirteen years I did anything for myself.”
He unlocks his door, then pushes it open and turns toward me.“I know I’ve said it before, but it deserves saying again: You’re a great mom, Katelyn.”
“I try.”I smile, feeling a bit guilty that this was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time, and my son wasn’t here to enjoy it.“We’ll have to take Thomas out when he comes back.That is if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.I’d love to take you guys out again.I had more fun today than I have in a long time.”
I swallow hard.
I’d love to date you.
Oh how those words are ringing through my mind right now, right along with my response.I’m pretty sure, with my refusal of those few words, I managed to break my own heart before I’d even had the chance to give it to Garrison.
“Well, I need to get cleaned up.”I move into his apartment, and when he closes the door behind me, realization sets in.Along with the understanding of just how much trouble I’m in.
My heart begins to pound.
I’m alone with him.
The last time I was alone with a man—I shake my head.Garrison isnotVictor.Not now.Not ever.
We’ve been alone together before.A few times over the last week.When Thomas was at school or out with friends.This is no different.
“I’ll get our clothes in the wash.You want some tea?”he questions as he moves away from me and into the kitchen.
“Yeah.Tea would be good.”I watch him, that bit of fear dissipating with each passing moment until my entire body relaxes.He has that ability, this man I tried so hard not to get to know.No one in this world can bring me the peace that Garrison Holt offers just by being present.“Hey, Garrison?”
“Yeah?”He glances back at me, dark hair a mess on top of his head.So very handsome.
“Thanks for everything,” I tell him.“You’ve quickly become one of two people in this world I trust.And I don’t think you know just how important that is.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to never break that trust, Katelyn,” he replies, tone low and deep.
I smile and take a deep breath despite the emotion burning in my throat.It’s the closest I’ve come to telling him how I feel.To confessing that, though I was once worried about my son getting too close to him, now Iknowleaving him would shatter the remaining pieces of my own heart.“I know you will.See you in a few.”
Leaving him behind, I move into the bathroom.After turning the water on to warm up, I strip out of my clothes and set them in a pile to carry into my room later.Then, I turn toward the mirror—instantly regretting when I do.
There are a lot of things from my past that I try to avoid.Triggers that spark memories better left as dead and buried as my ex.
The jagged scar that runs the length of my side is one of those triggers.A horrible reminder of the pain I suffered at his hands.I gently touch the puckered skin, the memory flooding back plain as day.