Page 160 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

She froze. “Don’t what?”

“Look at me like that.”

Understanding appeared. “Oh, I’m sorry Carson I didn’t mean to.”

I set the glass down. “This is exactly why I don’t tell people.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. You didn’t do anything.” I rubbed my hands together. “They just…” I struggled. “People change.”

Clover remained quiet. I looked toward the kitchen. Hunter was giving us more time than ice cream required.

I jutted my chin in his direction. “He doesn’t seem embarrassed.”

“Hunter?”

I nodded.

“No.”

“Was he always like that?”

Clover thought about it. “No.” That answer surprised me. “He used to hide everything.” Her voice softened. “Long sleeves. Different pants. Wouldn’t take the arm off around anyone.”

I looked at her. “What changed?”

“Time.” She shrugged. “And getting tired.”

“Tired of what?”

“Of making himself uncomfortable so other people could be comfortable.” Clover sipped her wine then continued.” He still has bad days. Sometimes the socket hurts. Sometimes he hates prosthetics. Sometimes he doesn’t care. Sometimes he gets frustrated because something takes longer than it used to.” Her gaze moved toward the kitchen. It was soft. “But he stopped treating those things like secrets.”

My chest felt too tight. “I do.” Clover looked at me with no pity or judgement. “I treat it like a secret. Most people in Willow Creek don’t know.”

“Beau?” She whispered softly, almost like she already knew. I shook my head. Clover leaned back. “Does that scare you?”

I laughed without humor. “It absolutely terrifies me.”

“Why?”

“Because he likes me.”

“That usually helps.”

“Not with this.”

She waited. I looked down at my jeans. The prosthetic was invisible beneath the denim. Exactly how I liked it.

“I’ve dated since the accident.”

Clover’s expression remained still.

“Attraction is easy when someone doesn’t know.” I swallowed. “They see me. They think I’m pretty. They flirt.” My voice went quieter. “Then eventually, they find out.”

“What happens?”

I stared at the glass of wine, avoiding her gaze. “Sometimes nothing.” Not every man had been cruel. “Some tried.” I rubbed my thumb against the edge of the glass. “But something changed anyway.”