Chapter19
Katelyn
My evening shift at the diner went by at the speed of molasses in January even though it only lasted five hours.After our walk on the beach, Garrison and I had joined the others at Linda’s for a delicious lunch, then he drove me back here and made coffee while I got dressed for my shift.
We didn’t talk much.But a lot was said in those quiet moments.
I’d confided in him about my greatest secret.One I’ve kept heavily guarded since that day that Yasmin died.I thought that I’d feel embarrassed, mortified by the truth.But to be honest?I feel lighter.
As if I’m one step closer to being able to move on.
“I’ll be right here when you are.”
I can still feel his breath fanning across my face.His thumbs stroking my cheeks.I’d wanted so badly to feel his lips on mine.To accept a kiss becauseIwanted it.Not because it’s what was expected of me.
But the heaviness of what is between us kept me from lifting my face and closing the distance.I want to make absolutely sure that, when we do take that step, I’m ready.Otherwise, I’m terrified that I’ll run scared the moment we do and ruin what we have.
And he’s far too important to me to do that.
I push open the door to our apartment building, then check my inbox.The elevator doors open, and a man steps off.I’ve never seen him before, but the hairs on the back of my neck go on end.I start to back toward the stairwell, putting distance between us as he makes his way toward the front door.
“Evening,” he greets as he passes by.
There’s nothing overly imposing about him, but my stomach twists into a knot, and I reach for my phone before I step into the stairwell.As my hand closes around it, he steps out onto the street and pulls the hood of his black sweatshirt up over his head.
He keeps walking without looking back.
Breathe, Katelyn.You’re just nervous because of the bandage you ripped open earlier.
After taking a deep breath, I push into the stairwell.My desire to get upstairs where I’m safe, with the man who makes me feel safe, is so great that I take the steps at a near-run, trying to reach the top as quickly as I can.
It’s not until I’ve pushed the door to our floor open and made my way down the hall that the fear finally slips away.As I reach the front door of my apartment, I note that it’s partially open.Curious, I shove it the rest of the way.
Garrison is inside, wearing tattered jeans and a white tank top stretched over his muscled torso.A baseball cap sits backward on top of his head, and he has a paintbrush in one hand, a can of paint in the other.
He cautiously paints the new patio doors, the fresh panes taped off with blue painters’ tape.With each stroke of the brush, more of the wood is covered in crisp white, erasing the damage done to them just last week.
The floor is still bare, but the carpet is supposed to be going down in the next day or so; then we get to move my furniture back in—what wasn’t damaged, at least.
And then—a sudden wave of sadness hits me.
Then that will be it.Thomas and I will move home, and we’ll go back to merely being Garrison’s neighbors.
No morning coffee.
Or late-night tea.
Garrison turns and jumps when he sees me watching, then lets out a laugh.“Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.What do you think?”
I just keep staring at him.How can I not?This man has been more gentle with me than anyone ever has.
He’s made me feel seen.
Cherished.
My eyes fill.
“Katelyn, what is it?”Garrison sets the paint and brush down, then wipes both hands on his jeans as he crosses toward me.“Did something happen?”