where I met a great therapist who guided me through those first rough months when I thought the world was over. I was angry and bitter and I hated everyone for a while. But I got through it with some help. I’m glad to take yours, sweetheart.”
She balanced him as he managed to stand. She glanced down at his foot. Even that foot was oddly sexy. It was big and solid, like the rest of the man. She eased her arm around his waist and his arm came out to close on her shoulders. She was the perfect height to balance him. It was funny because she’d always bemoaned how short she was, but now she was happy to be his crutch.
She’d been right. It was horrifically awkward, but Harry laughed as they wobbled and hopped and weaved their way to the bathroom.
“We are not going to be winning any three-leg races,” he said as they made it past the door.
“I bet we could if we practiced. They have one every year at the Founder’s Day picnic, and Herve and his brother always win. I think it’s because they’ve had so much practice helping each other out of bars when they’re drunk.” She turned on the hot water as he balanced against the sink.
“We’ll have to practice, then.” He was staring at her, his eyes steady as though he didn’t even want to think about looking away. “Sera . . .”
This was the moment when she had to make her choice. But then, she’d pretty much already made it. “You’re sure?”
“More sure than I’ve been of anything in my life.”
She went up on her toes and let her lips brush his. “Okay, then. Let’s get you cleaned up and we’ll deal with everything else.”
He grinned down at her. “And I can take you on a proper date?”
She nodded, a warmth flaring in her heart. She was going on a date with Harry Jefferys. “Yes.”
“And not to your family restaurant. Somewhere else.”
She nodded. “There are a couple of places we could go. I can show you around. I’ve heard you’ve turned down the other tour guides.”
“Yeah, I was waiting for the right one.”
He was so heartbreakingly gorgeous. And that was what would happen. He would break her heart and she was still going to try with him. She gently brushed her lips against his once more. “I promise to be diligent about showing you around town. Maybe you’ll like it there. Well, when we can actually get back into town. Now sit down and let me clean this up for you. I’ve got some bandages in my purse, and a tiny first aid kit. Luc gets scrapes all the time. I’ll be right back.”
Harry proved to be an excellent patient. He was still while she cleaned the wound, not even wincing when she rubbed the antiseptic over it. “What made you change your mind? I thought you would be done with me when you figured out my evil plot.”
“To take me to a nice dinner? To help me deal with those jerks who wanted to jack the price up? Strangely, I didn’t find that so evil.”
“Do you get that a lot?” he asked.
“Men who think because I’m blond and have breasts that I obviously don’t have a brain in my head? All the time,” she replied. “It’s not bad at home. They all know me, but we get a lot of tourists. I was a waitress for a while. I lost that job when I poured a whole pitcher of iced tea on a man.”
“And what did he do to deserve that?” His voice had gone deep.
He was going to be overly protective. That was easy to see. “He seemed like he needed cooling down. That was all. He actually wasn’t doing anything to me, but Hallie was working there, too. It was when we were just out of high school. He got handsy and she froze. So I took care of it. It wasn’t Dixie’s place. It was one town over. Dixie would have chased that man away and likely called Armie on the guy. And I’m not alone. Every woman I know has a story like what happened today. But I got my discount and my flooring. I might have to rent a boat to get it all home, but it’s mine.” She pressed the bandage against him and got to her feet. “I think you will survive.”
He’d dried himself off with a towel and there was no way