her new boss went south less than a month later, we’d had to move yet again.
That had been my life before Moss Harbor. Or, at least, the worst of it.
“Damn,” Hayle breathed. “Now, I really know I don’t have anything to complain about.”
I shook my head, more to clear the memories than anything. “That’s not why I told you that story. I guess I just wanted you to understand that my mother wasn’t perfect. Far from it, obviously. So, I’m not going to begrudge you venting about yours.”
“If she was a crappy mother, why do you care so much about how she died?”
It was a valid question. One I couldn’t fully answer. “It wasn’t all bad. She had her moments, sure, but I believe she loved me and tried to do right by me.” Yeah, that sounded strangely optimistic coming from my mouth. “And, no matter her faults, she didn’t deserve to be murdered.”
He reached out to touch my cheek but snatched back his hand before making contact. “I want to kiss you so badly it physically hurts not to.”
The tears that had been threatening earlier rolled down onto my cheeks. “We can’t, Hayle.”
My conversation with Petra during our shopping trip a few days before came to mind, but I quickly shoved it aside. I couldn’t have my cake and eat it too. Everyone knew that.
Which meant that my only choice was to be a one-man woman. I was already Leo’s, putting Hayle and Tristin and any other guy who walked into my life out of the running. That’s how it had to be.
“I know.” But even as he said the words, his gaze remained affixed to my mouth. “I was so stupid. I should have dumped Kelsey the moment you walked back into my life and done everything within my power to make you mine.”
My stomach knotted with what felt an awful lot like regret. “Why didn’t you?” This conversation was pointless, but I still wanted to know.
“I was scared to want you, because I knew my brothers did too. And they were obviously going to beat me.”
“There’s nothing obvious about it,” I insisted. “When I returned to Moss Harbor, I believed Leo was the last guy I could ever fall in love with.”
“So, you love him.” He didn’t voice it as a question, thankfully, because I had no intention of answering it. “I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s always had luck on his side.”
“Hayle...” I trailed off, because I didn’t know what else to say.
We’d danced around this before, but I couldn’t offer him anything more now than I’d been able to after he’d kissed me. It wasn’t like I’d chosen Leo over him. Just like my short-lived sexcapades with Tristin, my relationship with Leo had just happened.
It wasn’t something I’d planned. But I wouldn’t give it up now. Even if that meant having to hide my feelings for Leo’s brothers.
Was it right?
Not likely.
But what choice did I have? I was tired of being alone, and Leo did a damn fine job of making me feel like I didn’t have to be.
“There you are.” For the second time today, I jumped at the unexpected voice from behind me. But, this time, it was Leo’s. “You weren’t answering your phone.”
I glanced around me. “Oh, I guess I left it inside. Sorry.”
“No problem.” He walked up the few steps to the gazebo and looked from me to Hayle. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Hayle answered quickly, moving his body farther from mine on the sofa.
“If you say so.” Leo looked directly at me. “Are you ready for dinner?”
We’d been eating meals together whenever possible, so it would seem weird if I turned him down. Still, I felt bad deserting Hayle in the middle of what had started out as a conversation about his mother. “If you want to talk about Lily, I can stay,” I said too quietly for Leo to hear.
“No.” Hayle waved me off. “It’s not important.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay.” I gathered my laptop and backpack before heading to Leo’s side. “You want to eat with us?” I asked, glancing back at Hayle.
He shook his head and gave me what could only be described as a sad smile. “No, you two go on. I think I’ll go see what my mom made for dinner.”
As I walked away, Leo’s arm slung over my shoulder, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a huge mistake by not immediately moving into the townhouse. Because I was starting to think living in the same house as