Page 112 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

The night she’d asked me if I loved her, I should have ended it. I should have climbed out of her bed and walked away. But did I do the right thing? No, I’d just kept holding on, and in the process, I was hurting her. I told myself it would be just one more night. One more kiss on her hair. One more time to hold her in my arms.

One more time, then I’d let her go.

Except I still hadn’t worked up the nerve to say good-bye. I’d held on too long and now I was here with her family, getting ready to eat a turkey dinner that I sure as fuck didn’t deserve.

“So what do you normally do for Thanksgiving, Jackson?” Betty asked as she handed me my water.

“Thank you.” I forced a smile. “Normally I spend it with Hazel and Thea at the cottage.”

“Ahh. And where are they this year?”

“At Thea and Logan’s new place.”

They’d invited Ryder and me to come over, but Nate and Betty had already planned on having us here. Besides that, I couldn’t be around Thea and Logan right now. They were too happy.

Thea had announced this week that she was pregnant. She and Logan were over the moon to be having a baby and Charlie was thrilled to be a big sister.

I was glad for them, but it was more change. I suspected Thea would eventually quit the bar—her husband was a billionaire so she didn’t need to work. They’d have more kids and get on with their lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved to New York one day.

Sooner or later, everyone leaves.

I watched Willa as she worked on the potatoes. Her long, beautiful hair was streaming down her back. She’d spent time curling it this morning, something she didn’t do that often, but I loved it when she did. She’d tamed the natural waves into these perfect swirls and the tips swished delicately at her waist.

I wanted to walk over, pull her into my arms and take a deep breath of that hair. I wanted to pull in the smell, just one more time. Instead, I shied toward the back wall of the kitchen, getting as far away from her as the room would allow.

Willa hadn’t stayed a night at my house for the last week, not since I’d gotten that late-night phone call to come down to the bar. Not since I’d made one of the biggest fucking mistakes of my life.

I missed her in my bed. It wouldn’t be the same without her.

Ryder said something to Willa as they peeled potatoes side by side and it made her smile.

That smile was sheer agony.

I was going to miss her so damn much, and I knew nothing would ever fill that void.

I’d never forget the musical sound of her laugh. I’d never forget those silly words she’d make up or the breakfasts she’d cooked me in her apartment.

I’d never forget the way it felt to have her in my arms as she drifted off to sleep.

“Well, I’d better go out and check my fryer,” Nate said, popping the top on a can of Sprite. He took a sip and grimaced. “Jackson, feel like some fresh air?”

“Sure.” Fresh air and some distance from Willa sounded like a great idea. I pushed off the wall and followed him to the back deck.

“Have you ever deep-fried a turkey?” Nate stepped through the sliding door and into the cold.

“I haven’t. Thea always makes them in the oven.”

“We normally do too, but I’ve been wanting to try this for years now. Betty made us do a test run a couple of weeks ago just to make sure I knew what I was doing. Dang, it’s good. This will be the best bird you’ve ever had in your life.”

“I believe it.” I took a long breath of the cool air as he turned on his fryer.

I let my eyes wander over their backyard and across the school’s playground.

I’d never be able to look at those swing sets again. I’d never be able to walk across a wide lawn and not think of climbing Willa’s staircase.

I rubbed my face, knowing the hollow feeling in my gut wouldn’t go away anytime soon. What was I going to do when she did find someone new? How was I going to stay in Lark Cove? I guess watching from a distance as she found the love she was supposed to have would be my punishment for hurting her.

And my reward.