“That’s a lot of responsibility, Linc.”
“I think you’re up for the challenge.” I softened my voice. “I hope you are. I need you in my life.”
She leaned into my touch. Then in a typical Sunny move, changed the subject. “Hotels aren’t very comfortable for long-term stays.”
“Better than my car,” I smirked and stood. I knew she needed me to step away and break the dark mood that had descended.
“There’s an empty apartment across the hall.”
I frowned. “There is?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you know the layouts of your buildings, Linc?” she teased.
“Too many of them.” I shot back with a wink.
She stood. “Come and see.”
Across the hall was a duplicate apartment to Sunny’s. It was furnished simply, but it was light and airy and meticulously clean.
“I was planning on trying to rent it in the summer,” she explained. “I’ve been slowly getting it ready.” She cleared her throat. “You could stay here. There are two bedrooms. Abby would be safe over the shop, and it’s more comfortable than a hotel room. It has a kitchen and everything…” Her voice trailed off as I stared at her. “What?”
“You’d be okay with me sharing a place with Abby?”
She shrugged. “Better than the sofa. Plus, you said she was like a sister.”
“She is.”
“Then I have to trust you. And her. If she is as important to you as you say, then I need to get to know her. The back door leading up here is steel and has a good lock on it. The only other way up to this floor is through the kitchen, so she can use that entrance and always be safe. If you’re busy, I’m right here. She won’t be alone.” She traced a pattern on the counter, not meeting my eyes. “And you’d be close.”
I move nearer to her. “I’d like that.”
The air between us warmed. I traced her cheek, trailing my fingertips over her soft skin. “Be my light, Sunny. I need that. I need you.”
“What if it’s not enough?” She swallowed, her voice quivering. “What if I’m not enough?”
“You are.”
She wrapped her hand around my wrist. “Try to let go of the hate, Linc.”
“If I have you, I will try. I promise.”
She sighed, her eyes fluttering shut. “Stay here. Close to me.”
“Are biscuits included in the rent?”
Her eyes crinkled in amusement. “Yes.”
I dropped my voice, my mouth hovering above hers. “Are kisses?”
“Maybe,” she whispered, her eyes locked on my mouth.
“I’ll take it.”
Then I kissed her.
The next morning, Abby stumbled out of the bedroom, looking half asleep. She fisted the mess of curls on her head, mumbling one word.
“Coffee.”
With a smirk, I handed her a cup—strong and black—the way she liked. She took it with a grateful look and sat on the sofa, sipping. I let her wake up a little more. She had never been a morning person. At the institution, she was always the last to show up for breakfast, and often missed it.
Not that it had been much to miss. To this day, I hated oatmeal and hard-boiled eggs.
“How bad was the sofa?” she mumbled.
I shrugged, pouring myself another coffee. “Fine. It was one night.”
“What time did you come in?” she asked, regarding me curiously.
“About midnight. I checked, and you were sound asleep.” I squeezed her shoulder as I went past and sat on the chair across from the sofa. “You were exhausted, Abby.”
“I hadn’t slept much for a few days,” she admitted. “But I felt safe here.”
“You are.”
She glanced behind me. “No breakfast?”
“We’re going out for breakfast.”
She snorted into her coffee. “I bet I can guess where.”
I ignored her amusement.
“Sunny has offered us a small apartment over her bakery while we’re here. There’re two bedrooms, it’s furnished, and it has a kitchen. The access is a thick steel door at the back and through her shop, so it’s safe.”
“So, you’ll send Nick away?”
I knew she hated having someone watch over her, and since I planned on staying close and eliminating the threat to her very fast, I agreed.
“I’ve been on the phone with Milo. He’s finding out the terms of Carl’s parole.” It was my turn to snort into my coffee. “I’m fairly certain he will be breaking one or more of them very quickly.”
“You’ll make sure of it,” Abby mumbled.
“Yes. And your mother is going to get a visit. It will ensure you no longer have to worry about another surprise.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks are needed.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea, Linc?”
“The apartment? Or Sunny?”
“Both.”
“The apartment is more practical.”
“And conveniently close to Sunny,” she pointed out.
“Yes.” I sighed and scrubbed my face. “I know you’re worried, Abby. Sunny is as well.”
“Not about me, right? She knows we’re only friends, doesn’t she?”
I waved my hand. “Yes. She isn’t worried about that. I think the two of you will get along well. She wants to meet you and get to know you. The apartment was her idea, actually.”
“Oh.”
“I know you don’t want me to get hurt again. I’ll be honest—neither do I. But I have to try.” I exhaled hard. “Sunny…she thinks I have too much hate in me. She isn’t sure she knows how to handle that part of me.”
“Your hate is reserved for your father. You’re a good man, Linc.”
“She worries I won’t ever be able to let it go. To be able to live my life without the hate being the driving force. I have to admit, I wonder if she’s right.”
“If you love her the way you say you still do, then you will. She was the one thing you grieved for the most. If you’re together again, you can stop your grieving and begin to live for something else.”
I stared at her, her words sinking in.
“When did you suddenly become the grown-up?”
She stood. “Always have been. I’m going to get showered so we can go meet this girl of yours. I’m hungry.”
She walked away, stopping to refill her cup and disappearing into the bathroom. I thought about her words. Simple, direct, and honest. Once again, she reminded me of Sunny. I wanted to believe her. To think that I could lay the ghost of my father to rest and move on to a different life with Sunny. My hatred of him had been at the forefront of everything I’d done from the moment I woke up in that hellhole he threw me in.
Could I shift my focus and step away from the anger? Could I let go of the hatred and embrace life?
I never thought it possible. But my thoughts had never included Sunny. Now she was in my life again, and I already felt…different.
My phone beeped, the simple text message sending my heart soaring.