Rushed (Adventures in Love 1)

“You don’t have to ask if you can make a call, sunshine. You just can’t help me clean up.” He grins, pushing my bag toward me, and I roll my eyes as I listen to him chuckle. Once I find my phone, I ignore the messages on the screen and dial Maisie’s number.

“Cybil, honey,” she greets softly after the third ring. “I’ve been anxious for you to call and check in.”

“Sorry, we didn’t have service. Then yesterday, I had a little accident.”

“Oh no, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just have a new set of stitches.”

“Child, you’re so clumsy. What did you do this time?” she asks, and I smile at her exasperated tone.

“The usual. I tripped over my own feet and fell. Only the rock I landed on wasn’t happy about it.”

“How many stitches this time?”

“Six.” I study my palm, which is now an ugly shade of purple and green.

“So less than the time you fell down the stairs and more than when you decided to cut a frozen chocolate cream pie with a butcher knife.”

“Yeah,” I say with a laugh.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.” She sighs. “So besides ending up in the hospital again, how was your trip? I know you were nervous about going.”

“It was really good. I learned a lot and actually had fun.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you had a good time.” I hear her moving around; then she asks quietly, “Do you know when you’ll be home?”

I glance up at Tanner, and my stomach flutters. “In a week or so. I’m . . . well, I actually met someone here, so I’m going to spend some time with him before I head back.”

“You met someone on a couples retreat?” I hear the frown in her voice.

“He was our guide. His name is Tanner, and he and I were partners all week. He—”

“Did Jade tell you about Galvin?” she says, cutting me off before I can tell her how great he is and how much I like him.

“She did.”

“I knew she wouldn’t keep quiet about that. I told her not to tell you until you got home. That girl never listens.”

“Maisie—”

“Honey, people are going to say what they want to say. You can’t run away from this. You’re going to have to come home eventually.”

“I’m not running away,” I say to defend myself, disappointed that she thinks I would; then again, maybe I haven’t given her much of a reason to think differently.

“Honey, you spent the last few months since Galvin ended things locked in your shop. I get it—we all get it—but you can’t live like that, pretending things aren’t happening when they are. You didn’t do anything wrong. You have nothing to be embarrass—”

“Maisie, please stop,” I interrupt while dropping my eyes to the top of the island. “Please listen to me. Really listen to me.”

“Okay, Cybil, honey. I’m listening.”

“I met someone I, like . . . really like, and I’m spending a week with him. I know that, given what happened with Galvin and Chris, it’s easy to assume the two things are related, but they are not. I’m spending a week with Tanner because I’m not ready to leave him yet, and he’s not ready for me to go.”

“Cybil—”

“Maisie, I’m asking you to trust me.”

“Okay,” she says, giving in quietly, and I let out a relieved breath.

“Are . . . are you sure about this guy, honey?” she asks, and I meet Tanner’s gaze, and as I look into his eyes, I know that no matter what happens, I want to see where things might go between us.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “I love you.”

“I love you too. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Tell him to take care of you.”

“I will.” My shoulders sag as I end the call.

“That bad?” Tanner asks as I drop my forehead to the top of the counter.

“Not bad. It would just be easier for people to accept that I’m here with you because it feels right if Galvin hadn’t just gotten married. Right now, everyone is assuming that I’m staying because I don’t want to go home and deal with that situation.” I lift my head, and he takes a seat next to me and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, smoothing his thumb up and down.

“It’s mostly my own fault,” I whisper. “When Galvin ended things, I was embarrassed and hurt, so I lost myself in work and stayed out of town. I didn’t want to deal with the questions I knew people would ask, especially when I didn’t have any answers.” I shake my head, then drop my elbows to the counter and pull my hair back from my face.

“Hey.” He takes hold of my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You had a reason to be upset. You didn’t do anything wrong.” His eyes scan over my face; then his eyes lock on mine. “Your family is worried. I’d be concerned if they weren’t.” He pulls me forward until his forehead is touching mine. “They will come around, but in the meantime, I’m happy you’re here. I want you here with me.”