Page 28 of Trying Not to Need You

“It’s not your fault. This has been a lot, Macklin. A lot to process. You’re this guy who was older than me, and I crushed on you so hard, and then I grew up, and life took me away, and now I’m back, and you’re telling me you’ve wanted me for years. I… don’t know what to do with that.”

My grin widens. “Time,” I tell her. “Just give it time. Give me time to show you. I won’t push you. Just let me have my chance to show you.” I pause, then add, “You had a crush on me?” My heart bounces wildly inside my chest. Her face heats, and she ignores my question, which is fine. I know she meant it.

“What does that mean? What does a chance and you showing me look like?” She tilts her head to the side and then rests it on her hand, on the arm that’s propped up on the island.

“It means that I want the chance to show up for you. It looks like the two of us spending time together. You say I don’t know the woman you are now, so we’ll get to know each other again. I won’t push this on you, Baylor, but I am going to be next to you at every given chance.”

“How?” Her voice is soft, and her eyes are full of questions, and an emotion that looks an awful lot like hope, at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

“I don’t know. I mean, if you’re at the Hideaway and on the dance floor, I’m going to be there with you. If you need someone to have dinner with, someone to make you ice cream sundaes, someone to curl up and watch a movie with, I’m your man.”

“That sounds like dating.”

“Maybe.” I shrug. It does sound like dating, but I don’t know how else to tell her that I’m about to be her shadow, because I’ll be damned if another man comes along to steal my girl before I get the chance to fight for her.

“I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“We’re just two friends hanging out. That’s what we’ll be. Just know that this friend”—I point to my chest—“wants all of you. Any way I can have you, but you set the pace. I’ll follow your lead.” Reaching over, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Just let me show you that you’re it for me.”

“And if I decide you’re not who I want? What if I leave Magnolia Ridge again? What if I can’t stay here?”

“If you can look me in the eye, after spending time with me, and tell me I’m not the man for you, then I’ll accept that. I’ll hate every fucking minute of it, but I’ll accept it. If you decide you need to leave again, I’ll pack my bags and ask you where we’re going. If you don’t know, that’s okay, too, as long as I’m with you.”

“Macklin,” she breathes, her eyes watering. “What you’re saying, it sounds too good to be true.”

“It’s not.” There’s conviction in my tone as I hold her gaze. Her blue eyes swarm with emotion, the hope I saw earlier, and maybe a little fear. She’s worried about getting her heart broken and trusting again, only to have the rug pulled out from under her, but she doesn’t have to worry about that with me.

I’m locked in. No turning back.

Without a word, she stands, grabs both of our bowls, takes them to the sink, and starts washing them and cleaning up from dinner.

“I can get that,” I tell her.

“You cooked and made dessert. I’ll clean.”

Standing, I walk around the island and stand behind her. I place my hands on her hips and lean in close, my lips hovering next to her ear. “Let me take care of you,” I whisper.

She turns to glance at me over her shoulder, which brings her lips a breath from mine. “I’m a big girl, Macklin. I can wash the dishes.”

I step closer, which aligns her body with mine. “I’m on your team, Baylor. If you’re washing dishes, then so am I.” I press a kiss to the tip of her nose, and a breathtaking smile lights up her face. It takes effort, more than I knew that I possessed, to release my hold on her, step beside her, reach for the towel, and start to dry. “You know,” I say after a few minutes, “we could have just put these in the dishwasher.”

She giggles. “Now you tell me.” She shakes her head, that beautiful smile still in place, and I stand a little taller. My girl is here, she’s happy, and while we have a long road to travel before her trust in men is restored, I wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything.

Fifteen minutes later, some splashed bubbles, and a lot of laughs, the kitchen is spotless. “Want to watch a movie?” I offer.

She nods but covers a yawn. “Sure,” she finally replies.

“Nah, you’re tired. Let’s get you to bed.” I offer her my hand, hoping like hell she takes it, and after a few seconds, which seems like minutes, of staring at it, she presses her palm against mine, and I lead her down the hall to my room. “I’ll get you something to sleep in,” I tell her. I could release her, but I’m not ready, so I guide her to my dresser, pull out a T-shirt and some pajama pants one-handed, and hand them to her. “Do you want a hoodie, too?”

“Actually, yes, please.” Her cheeks turn a darker shade, and I fight my grin.

With her hand still in mine, I lead us to the closet, where I pull out one of my old hoodies that a sponsor gave me years ago and hand it to her. “The bathroom is through that door.” I point to the bathroom.

“Nope. I’m not taking your bed, Macklin. Show me to the guest room.”

“Baylor—” I start, but she’s already shaking her head, her refusal at her lips.

“Nope. Come on.” Tugging on my hand, she’s now in the lead, and she pulls me out of my bedroom and across the hall to the guest room. “This is where I’ll be. Bathroom’s down the hall, right?” she asks.