Chasing Desire (Chasing Love 3)

Autumn smiled. He was good with his hands. She could attest to that. “Well, I can’t construct a house. Guess there’s different types of building.”

Pete smiled and nodded. “Yes. Looks like you two have each other’s weaknesses covered. Between the two of you, you’d never be homeless or motionless.”

That struck something deep in her soul that she hadn’t realized was even there. They may share some similarities, but reality would do them in. No matter how many nights of fantasy they lost themselves in, the real world would always win out.

Maybe if they weren’t broken, they could work. But they were. She wasn’t worthwhile enough to stay for…a while. Huck wouldn’t take a chance on her and she wouldn’t stick around for someone who didn’t believe in her, merely on a hope that one day he may tell her she’s more than a casual fuck.

She couldn’t help but wonder what it would mean to stay? That was her pipe dream, and she let herself ponder it for a moment. It was surprising how badly she wanted that idea. That completeness. But that would mean relying on him. Trusting him with more than the moment. She’d have to trust him with her life.

The thought sent bile into her throat. She’d trusted her living situation to a man once, and look where that had gotten her. If she couldn’t trust her own father, how was she supposed to trust a lover?

Nope. She couldn’t do that again. She needed something that was completely hers. Something she could rely on for herself alone. The bottom couldn’t fall out if she held all the water in her hands.

“You ran your own shop, right?” Pete asked. “Ever think of running one again?”

“I’ve got a good shot at a job in California. But running a shop again?” It was her dream. But that dream required money, not to mention a place where she was interested in setting down roots. All of those things were in short supply. “It’s not in the cards for me right now.”

Pete nodded and looked her over for a moment. “I can see why my son is so taken with you. You’re strong. I can tell.”

That made her perk up. “I don’t know about that. We’re just…” She thought for a moment and went with a safe word. “Friends.”

“Sure you are. I know my son, and I can tell you right now he doesn’t look at his friends the way he does you. He also doesn’t carry on and on about them.” Pete’s words made shivers of hope stick to her spine. Was there a chance Huck wanted more from her? Could possibly want her to stick around?

“Carry on?” she asked.

Pete chuckled. “Oh, so you’re interested in what he’s said now?” She shrugged, but the old man’s smile on

ly widened. “I like you. You don’t give much away and probably don’t take my boy’s crap. I can tell because you’re giving me nothing right now. Stubborn girl.” He hugged her shoulder. “You’re just what he needs.” Autumn opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “And before you go denying it, I’ll tell you right now that I’m right in this. He said you were special.”

“He did?”

Pete nodded. “I love my son, but that woman did a number on him a few years ago, and he hasn’t quite been the same since. It’s nice to see him happier.”

“I can’t take credit for that. I think I annoy him more than anything else.” Lord knew he annoyed the pants off her. Literally. No matter how bratty they acted, how they fought or huffed, her pants came off. It was the one thing she knew she could rely on Huck Galvin for. And to be honest, that was the only thing she was asking for.

“Go get some food, kid. You can stay as long as you like.” He patted her shoulder, and his green eyes looked at her with a kindness she hadn’t seen in a long time. “As long as you like,” he said again. Something in his words made her own eyes prick.

She looked down at the keys in her hand. “Thank you so much.”

He nodded. “I’m glad you’re here, young lady.”

She watched him leave. His words toiled in her mind.

As long as you like.

Huck made her feel warm and wanted. And now she saw where his charm came from. It ran in the family.

But that didn’t mean she could stay. Her ex had seemed warm and caring, too. At least at first.

Anyone could be counted on in the short term. But when it mattered? When it came time to show their commitment and their love was true and forever? When it came time to choose her above all else?

Now she knew better.

Her boundaries were what kept her safe.

Still, those words rolled over in her mind again. Stay for as long as she wanted?

Her phone rang and she dug it out of her back pocket. The number was from the west coast. Los Angeles to be precise. Her breathing stalled. This was the call. She knew it deep down. And as soon as she hit the “answer” button, she’d also know if she got the job.