“What are you doing after work?” he asked.
“No plans.”
“My dad called. Rose Cottage is in full bloom, and he thought you might want to take some pictures.”
“Rose Cottage?” I asked.
“It’s a house in town. The woman who lived there loved roses. She planted, like, hundreds of them. She died last year, but some of the townspeople cleaned up the garden in the spring, and everything is in bloom.”
“Sounds great. I’d love to take some pictures.”
“Okay. Dad invited us for dinner. It’s meatloaf. Dad makes great meatloaf.”
I was thrilled that Brett and his dad were mending fences. Making the effort to spend time together.
“I would love to join you and your dad for dinner.”
He paused, staring at me. A wide grin broke out on his face, and he bent, sliding his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me to him. He kissed me hard, deep, and with passion. Then he pulled back.
“Goddammit,” he muttered. “The shit you do to me without even knowing it.”
But he was smiling as he walked away.
I waited for Brett to finish on the last car. I sat outside, checking my camera bag to make sure I had everything. Charly sat beside me, Thomas playing not far from us, and Vivvy dozing in her mother’s arms.
“So, dinner with the family,” Charly drawled.
“Dinner with Brett and his dad,” I corrected.
“That is Brett’s family.”
I frowned at her. “Whatever.”
“I’m going to assume everything went okay with you two last night after I left?”
I sat back with a sigh. “I told him everything. He wants to kill Carl.”
“Actually, he, Maxx, and Stefano want to form a gang and go after him. Then provide one another with an alibi,” she retorted. “The Car-liminators.”
I couldn’t help my laughter. “That’s pretty lame.”
“I thought it was funny. Cars, Carl… They want to—”
I waved my hand. “I get it. That has you written all over it.”
She shrugged. “I wouldn’t stop them.”
I shook my head. “Not happening. No one is getting in trouble because of me. It’s done. Thanks to you, I got my work back, and I can move forward. I want to leave it alone.”
“What does moving forward entail?” she asked, gazing across the lawn. “Does it involve a certain mechanic who is crazy about you?”
I followed her line of vision. Maxx and Brett were standing outside the garage, talking. I watched him for a moment, once again caught in the pull of his presence.
“Charly?” I asked softly.
“Hmm?”
“How do you know if you really love someone?”
“I think if you are wondering, then you may already know.”
“He scares me. What he makes me feel scares me.”
“Do you trust him?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Then know he’s there for you. I think if you try, Kelly, you would find Brett is exactly what you need in your life.”
“He told me he doesn’t mind if I have to go for a while, as long as I come back.”
“Because he understands you.”
She turned and faced me fully. “But I will say this. Brett is an amazing man. He knows he can’t pin you down. But don’t leave him without something. And I don’t mean hope. Commit to him. Show him you are as serious as he is. Admit your feelings, so he knows. He deserves that.”
“Am I enough? Is that enough? Is that fair?” I asked.
“Let me ask you a question.”
“Sure.”
“Is this forever? The wandering? The refusal to settle down?”
“I always thought so. Until…”
“We all need a place, Kelly. Somewhere safe to call home. Someone to call our own. Can you see Brett as that place? That person?”
“I think maybe I can.”
She shook her head. “You have to be sure. You have to know. You can’t string him along. He deserves better. You deserve better.” She grasped my hand. “I know your childhood was rough. I know you are frightened of what love means. But when it’s right, when it’s real and strong, it is amazing. What I have with Maxx. What Gabby has with Stefano. It’s a gift, Kelly. Your parents aren’t a good example. How you were treated as a child was wrong. On every level. But you can move past that and find your place.” She drew in a deep breath. “Because I think that’s what you’re looking for. Why you keep searching. But I think if you are honest with yourself, you would know you don’t have to search anymore. Go and take your pictures. But know where your home is.” She nodded toward Brett, who was walking over. “He is your home. You need to figure that out before it’s too late.” She looked sad as she stood. “Because if you lose him, I fear you’ll search for the rest of your life.”
Brett’s dad was pleased to see me—and even happier to see the cake we had picked up at the bakery on our way over. Mack Conner had the same sweet tooth his son possessed, so watching them discuss who got a bigger piece was entertaining. With Mack’s blessing, I wandered the large apartment, seeing where Brett grew up. The big windows made the rooms bright. The building was older, and the apartment retained all the charms of that era. Wood trim and baseboards, chair and picture rails. Hardwood floors with a beautiful patina to their dull sheen. I studied some pictures on the walls, watching Brett grow up in front of my eyes. I saw him as part of a family, his mom and dad smiling at the camera, Brett with them, often with his mother’s arm holding him close. I recalled the house I grew up in—everything in its place and nothing out of order. No pictures of a laughing, happy family. I tried to remember one instance of being held. One happy memory. I had none.