Chapter 16
Alexis
The explanation was too much to text. I just apologized and told him I’d come talk to him as soon as I could.
What a mess. And the ironic thing was, all I could think when I walked in was how much, despite my panic, I actually liked the surprise of being here and how cute Daniel looked. GOD.
The girls wanted to relax in their rooms until the appetizer hour, so I took the opportunity to sneak out.
When I let myself into the garage, Daniel was sitting at his workbench. He glanced up and then went back to his project, jaw tight. I made my way over to him and nudged his thigh with my knee. “I’m sorry.”
He looked up at me. “What was that?”
“I didn’t know they were bringing me here. It’s a girls’ weekend, and they booked the room. Besides, I thought this place wasn’t open in the off-season.”
“I opened it,” he said shortly.
“Are you mad at me?”
He peered up at me. “Imagine if I showed up with my friends at your hospital. You’re the doctor treating them. And I act like I don’t know you. Does that sound okay to you?”
I let out a breath. “Daniel, I’m not ready to tell people about us yet.”
“I’m not asking you to tell people. But to pretend you don’t even know me?”
“You don’t…” I blew out a breath. “If I say I know you, they’ll want to know how I know you, where I met you and when. Jessica, the brown-haired one? She knows I’ve been coming to see someone who lives south. They’re like gossip detectives. They’ll figure it out.”
He pressed his lips together, and I knew he was wondering why it mattered if they did.
I knew his friends. He was willing to take me to breakfast in front of everyone. He wasn’t hiding me.
I’d hurt his feelings.
I licked my lips. “Daniel, I know we haven’t talked about this yet, but I’m coming out of a really bad breakup. Really, really bad. Their husbands are having a boys’ weekend with my ex. And without getting into details, my ex is not someone I want knowing about my life right now. My best friend Bri knows all about you. But these friends just…can’t.”
He studied me like he was searching for the truth. So I gave it to him. “I was so happy when I realized I was getting to see you today.”
His face went soft for the first time since I’d come into the garage.
He looked away from me, but he put the tip of his finger to my bare knee like a tiny little olive branch.
“Please don’t be mad at me,” I whispered.
His eyes came back to mine, and he blew out a long breath. Then he pulled me onto his lap. He put his arms around me in a hug that was so sweet, it made my heart skip.
Daniel was really affectionate. He liked to cuddle, like a big teddy bear. I bet he was good with children. He was definitely good with baby goats.
I nuzzled his nose with mine. “You looked really handsome when I walked in,” I said quietly.
The corners of his lips quirked up. His eyes were on my mouth. “Do you have my hoodie?” he asked, his voice low.
I nodded.
He smiled. “You brought it, even though you didn’t know you were coming to see me?”
“You have to wear a stolen hoodie,” I said.
“Otherwise it’s just another senseless crime?”
“I like the way it smells,” I whispered.
He grinned and kissed me, and I was immediately forgiven.
God, I missed him. I realized it almost retroactively, but I had.
It was weird to miss someone you’d just met. But I think it was because I hadn’t gotten enough of him, either time I came. My mood improved, realizing that I had an entire weekend here—because I needed it.
This whole week had been horrible. I had to get a lawyer and a real estate agent. I was dodging Neil in my own freaking house. But I’d missed Daniel. Being on his lap, letting him hold me, smelling his warm, piney scent—it was a finally moment. Like arriving at a finish line or letting go of a breath you’ve been holding—or coming home.
It’s the release that happens when you don’t have to think about anything at all.
Thirty minutes later, Daniel had to go set up the appetizers. I snuck back into the house through the four-season porch. Hunter followed me all the way through the yard pushing his head under my hand, and when I let myself in, he tried to come in after me. I had to wrestle him back out and close the door in his face.
I was starting to develop a theory about this dog, but further observation was needed.