His Muse_Second Chance Romance by Annie J. Rose

Author:Annie J. Rose [Rose, Annie J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Ben

As Winnie and I continued sitting there, talking the morning away, I found myself smiling. Genuinely smiling. Which had only occurred a handful of times since I’d been back in town. And all of those times, around her. Winnie brought a light to my life that wouldn’t ever be snuffed out. Even if we stayed friends with nothing more, having her around made things bearable, tolerable… hell, even enjoyable.

I could stay… for her.

Her parents didn’t hate me. She didn’t hate me. She was okay with us being friends. So, why not? Those were the largest hurdles. And Steve would come around eventually. Or, he wouldn’t. I didn’t want that to stop me, though. Eventually, things in town would settle down. Another piece of juicy gossip would come about, and they’d forget all about me. All about the drama that had occurred with my less-than-triumphant return.

The sun rose high, though. And I had plans for my day.

“Where are you parked?” I asked.

“Over in the far lot. I can start my run from there and it’s a good trek for me back and forth.”

I stood with her and began packing up my things. But I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Winnie still felt inviting. And comfortable. She was definitely different, though. Not as outgoing as she used to be. More closed off. It hurt my heart, because her outgoing and carefree nature was one of the things I’d adored most about her. I mean, I didn’t blame her for the change. I couldn’t. Not after what she had endured.

It still hurt to realize my part in it, though.

“Can I walk you to your car?” I asked.

“Sure. Friends do that, right?” she asked.

“I’m sure they do, yeah. I wouldn’t know, though. Didn’t do much friend-making in Boston.”

“Did you always have plans to come back here?”

I nodded. “Oh, yeah. I always had plans to come home. When or how that was happening, I didn’t have a clue. But the end goal was to wind up back here with an art gallery of my own to run.”

“You think that might happen now?”

“I’m really hoping so.”

We walked and talked all the way to her car, which wasn’t parked too far down from mine. I stopped to place everything in the trunk, then escorted her to her ride. I opened her door and ushered her in. I resisted the urge to offer her my hand, though. She eased herself into her seat and smiled up at me, her eyes illuminated by the morning sun above our heads.

“I had a nice time this morning. Even though you interrupted my run,” she said cheekily.

“I mean, you didn’t have to stop and talk,” I said.

“I’m glad I did, though.”

“Me too, Winnie.”

She held my gaze a little too long. I knew if I didn’t back away, I’d get myself in trouble. So, I went to go shut the door, to put a barrier between us so I wouldn’t do something stupid. But before I could step away, she shot up from her seat, pushed the door open, and threw her arms around my neck and hugged me close.

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