we were before. She’s not ready for anything else.”
Julia gives me a knowing look. “But when she is, you’ll be there. Right?”
“I promised I wouldn’t wait around for her.”
“And you actually plan to honor that promise?” She smirks.
I laugh to myself, marveling at how well my sister knows me. “What Londyn doesn’t know can’t hurt her.” I grin, then skirt past her when I hear footsteps zooming down the stairs.
“Uncle Wes! I’m ready. Let’s go swimming.”
“Okay, munchkin.” I extend my hand, taking Imogene’s tiny one in mine.
As I turn the corner and start down the hallway, Julia’s voice stops me.
“Hey, Wes?”
I pause, glancing over my shoulder.
“You’re a good man.”
“I hope to be.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Londyn
The aroma of coffee fills my darkened kitchen on a Saturday morning in October. The world outside is quiet. Only an occasional dog barking or car driving along the street finds its way into my solitude. There was a time I hated waking up before the sun. That’s no longer the case, a peacefulness enveloping me before the world wakes up.
Once my coffee is prepared the way I like, I sling my duffle bag over my shoulder and make my way out of my condo. A chill envelopes me as I step outside. There’s a briskness in the air this morning now that it’s technically fall, but once the sun comes out, the temperatures should near seventy, making it the perfect day for some home renovations.
While this project certainly has taken a lot longer than I originally anticipated, I wouldn’t change it for anything. Spending all this time working on the house with Wes has given me a creative outlet I didn’t realize I’d needed. Plus, it’s allowed me to get to know Wes better. We’ve even begun spending time together outside of our weekends at Gampy and Meemaw’s house.
While I do have a few interior design projects for other clients, they’re on a smaller scale. A bathroom remodel here. A kitchen renovation there. So it’s easy for me to sneak out and meet Wes.
The truth is, even if I had to rearrange my schedule, I’d do it just to spend time with him.
Once I lock the door, I continue down the walkway, stopping abruptly when I see Wes’ black Range Rover idling on the street in front of the driveway. The door opens, and he jumps out, heading to the passenger side.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, slowly making my way toward him.
When I’d left him at Meemaw and Gampy’s less than six hours ago, I told him I’d be back at eight this morning. I certainly didn’t expect to see him at my place a few minutes before seven.
“There’s been a change of plans.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest as he leans against his car.
If his statement weren’t a dead giveaway that we’re not working on the house today, his clothing definitely is. Instead of an old t-shirt, paint-covered pants, and work boots, he’s dressed in a navy blue Henley, jeans that fall perfectly from his hips, and casual shoes.
“A change of plans?” I repeat, arching a brow.
“Yeah.” He pushes off his car. “I think we’ve both earned a day off, especially after turning that hidden closet into a laundry room yesterday.”
“I’m assuming you have an idea for this day off.” I smirk.
“You know me so well, don’t you?”
“Either that, or maybe you’re extremely transparent.”
“I’d prefer to believe the former.”
When he winks, a warmth rushes through me, my fingers aching to reach out and touch him. To run my hands through his hair. To pull him toward me. To revel in the scruff of his unshaven jaw as he nuzzles the crook of my neck. But I know the power Wes’ kisses have over me. I’m not ready to go there with him again. Not yet.
“Okay then, Mr. Bradford. What do you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise.” He extends his hand toward me.
I stare at it, hesitant. As he knows by now, I don’t like the unexpected. I find safety and comfort in making plans, knowing what I’m walking into ahead of time.
“Come on, Lo,” he begins, his voice gentle and deep. “I promise there won’t be heights or snakes. Do you trust me?”
I lift my gaze, locking with his. Do I trust him?
For years, I only trusted myself. Refused to even consider the idea of putting my trust in another human. After all, every person who was supposed to support me, help me, love me had betrayed that trust.