spend as much time there as we can.”
“Sounds beautiful. Where is home?”
“Tennessee.”
“I’m picturing something like a postcard, vast trees surrounding the lake.”
“That’s pretty much it.”
“You should send me a picture when you get home,” I say without really thinking. This man is just passing through. He’s not going to want to keep in touch with me.
“Or I could show you.”
It takes me a minute to process what he’s saying. “I can’t go to Tennessee.”
“Why not?” He stops walking and steps in front of me. His hands rest on my hips, and the heat from his body seeps into mine. It’s comforting in a way that I can’t explain.
“I live here. Besides, I could never afford the travel expenses.”
“You would be my guest.”
“Owen.” I sigh. “Your heart—” I place my hand on his chest. “—is the kindest I’ve ever known, but I can’t keep letting you take care of me. I need to stand on my own two feet.”
“What if I want to take care of you?” he asks, his voice gravelly.
“It’s getting late. We should go.” The thought of this kind, gentle man wanting to take care of me sets my soul on fire. However, we can’t go there. I can’t go there. I need to be able to take care of myself. Always. I never want to be dependent on someone else ever again.
“Fine,” he grumbles, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Let’s go get your car.”
“I’m paying you back, Owen. It’s going to take some time, but I’m going to do it.”
“I don’t want your money. You want to pay me back, then spend time with me. Anytime you’re not working while I’m here, you’re with me,” he suggests.
“Owen—” I start, and he stops me with his finger pressed to my lips.
“I want to spend time with you.” His voice is soft, almost pleading, and it’s as if he’s speaking the words I want to say. I’m just too afraid.
“I work a lot.”
“I know. I’m here for a few more days. Let me have the time you’re not working.”
I find myself nodding before the word “Yes,” slips past my lips.
“That’s my girl.” He smiles down at me before taking my hand and leading us back to his rental.
Chapter 7
Owen
I tossed and turned all night long. It took every ounce of willpower I had to leave her again. Each day that I leave her, it gets harder and harder. That’s why I have a plan. It came to me in the wee hours of the morning. I almost called my brother Royce, but I decided against it. Instead, I lie awake, working out the pitch I was about to give.
“What’s up?” Royce answers.
“You got a minute?” I ask.
“Yes.” There is no hesitation in his voice. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just want to run something past you.”
“Shoot.”
“In order to tell you my plan, I need to start from the beginning.”
“I’m listening,” he says, and by the tone of his voice, I know he’s concentrating on nothing but our conversation.
“Jase sent me here to look over the place and look at the numbers. As you know, the first week I was here, they were dragging their feet, and all I had to do was experience the hotel, and watch things like capacity, cleanliness stuff like that.”
“I’m with you,” he tells me. “I’m surprised that you didn’t come on home and have them send the numbers to you,” he adds.
I’m getting there, brother. “During that time, I’ve had dinner each night in the hotel restaurant.” I pause, not really sure how to say this next part. “I met someone,” I say, just tossing the words out there. “She’s a waitress,” I’m quick to add. “I barely know her, except from what I’ve observed and what she’s told me, but I can’t stop thinking about her. Hell, it just about tore me to pieces inside to say goodbye to her last night knowing she was staying in her shitty apartment in her even shittier neighborhood.”
There’s a long pause, and I’m about to keep rambling when Royce finally asks, “What do you need from me?”
His acceptance of my feelings for Layla sends relief washing over me. “I know it’s crazy, but I had an idea. She’s had a rough life. No family except for a man and a woman who run the restaurant at the hotel who kind of adopted her into theirs. I want better for her.”
“It’s more than that,” Royce calls me out.
I nod even though he can’t see me. “It is. I’m not