Begin Again (Home In You Book 2)

by Crystal Walton

  He brushed a shell off the blanket, unable to tear his gaze from Ti’s aggravatingly contagious smile. “A coffee-addicted, nonstop-talking vegetarian, who always has jokes. She’s—”

  “Drew.” Livy squeezed his arm to cut him off. “Exactly.”

  “Exactly what?”

  “My point.” She picked up her drink. “You’re really daft sometimes, you know that? You’re good for each other. Don’t be afraid to give it a go.”

  He managed to shut his jaw before a horsefly could zip inside. “You’re crazy.”

  “No, I’m observant. A trait I picked up from the girl you can’t take your eyes off of.”

  He fumbled for a response, inadvertently adding a thousand exclamation points to Livy’s comment.

  She fixed him with another perceptive gaze. “It’s been nine years. No one expects scars to disappear magically. And I’m not saying you have to make some big commitment. I just want to see you remember how to have fun again.”

  “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Livy.” He shifted on the blanket, the concave dips and mounds in the sand a reflection of his thoughts.

  With a gentle smile saying what he knew was coming, Livy set her drink aside. “It’s time to move on, Drew. Annie’s not coming back.”

  He exhaled without looking at her. “And in a few short weeks, Ti will be gone, too.”

  The thought of facing Maddie’s disappointment when that happened burned him. Coming to the beach was a mistake. This whole day was. As much as he couldn’t stand Marcus, at least his sucker punches reminded Drew what was at stake this summer.

  He rose and called Maddie over.

  Livy scurried up to her feet. “Drew, don’t be mad.”

  “I’m not. It’s late, that’s all. I need to get Maddie in bed.” And himself back on target. Starting with a call it’d kill him to make.

  Chapter Twelve

  Release

  Busting his butt at work all day kept Drew’s mind off his talk with Livy about as well as failing to sleep had. Thankfully, Ti hadn’t been around much today. He could only tackle one challenge at a time.

  Behind the counter at the shop, Drew slouched in his chair. The foreclosure notice in his lap could’ve dragged him through the floorboards with its gravity, but he had to do whatever it took. Selling his shortboard this morning had already gutted him. Might as well keep the blows coming.

  He switched ears and held the phone with his shoulder while background music looped through its third sequence.

  “Hello.”

  Drew scrambled up in the seat. “Mr. Parsons. Thanks for taking my call this late in the day. I’m sure you’re trying to get out the door.”

  “It’s no problem. I assume this is about the notice.”

  The one about to cost him everything? Yeah, you could say that.

  Drew set the paper on the counter and resituated positions. Twice. Ten minutes of being on hold should’ve given him enough time to prepare at least one compelling sentence.

  “This is just as awkward for me, Drew. I’ve known you all your life. Your father was a good friend. But I can only bend the rules so much.”

  “I know. And I can’t tell you how much I hate putting you in this position, but I thought I had a little more time to work this out. Things are picking up here. If we can hold off until a week after the surf competition, I promise I’ll make good on what I owe.” No matter what he had to do.

  Drew tapped the stapler to his forehead, grateful Dad wasn’t around to hear him grovel. He looked away from the photo of them on the wall. “Four more weeks, Mr. Parsons. Please.”

  His pause stretched. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Drew’s shoulders caved with a breath of relief. “Thank you.” He closed his eyes after hanging up. Please be enough time.

  A clank in front of him jerked his head up. From behind Ti’s cute little accessory glasses, headstrong eyes met his with a look he was beginning to know by heart. He peered from her to the fish tank full of sea glass she’d just heaved onto the counter.

  She gripped the sides and leaned over it. “Sea glass.”

  “Um, yeahhh. I see that.” Drew rose and circled toward her. “What is it doing out of my living room?”

  “Possibilities. Remember?” Ti dug her fingers into the massive collection. “What tourist wouldn’t love a souvenir from Ocracoke’s shores?”

  He unburied her hands and motioned to the displays behind her. “That’s why I sell shells. You sure you’re okay? You didn’t skip your third cup of coffee today, did you?”

  “No, you don’t understand.” She withdrew a bracelet from her pocket and laid it beside the tank. “I’m not talking about premade shipments from China you can get anywhere. I’m talking about authentic jewelry handmade with local glass collected on the very island the tourist visited.”

  A slow simmer built from the base of his stomach.

  Ti dipped her head under his. “It’s the perfect merchandise. Valuable. Worth a higher price. Customers will love it. I’m telling—”

  “These aren’t for sale.” Releasing his balled-up hands didn’t stop his veins from throbbing. He grabbed a fistful of taffy.

  “What do you mean they’re not for sale?”

  He skated around her. “Drop it, Ti.”

  She stalked after him. “What’s your problem? This could be the prime inventory to highlight during the competition. At least finish hearing me out.”

  “Don’t have to. The answer’s no.”

  “Drew.” She caught his sleeve. “Why are you being like this? I know the glass might have sentimental value, but we’re talking about—”

  “You don’t know a thing about it.”

  Her hold on his arm faltered. Instead of zinging an obstinate comeback, she blanched as if backhanded.

  Remorse coiled around the anger already twisting in his chest. He didn’t mean to be short with her. Didn’t want to hurt her. But she didn’t know how far back the glass collection stretched. What selling it would mean.

  Ti lifted her lashes toward him, determined stance reestablished. “Maybe not. But I know you need this.”

  Currents of grace and conviction streamed from her blue eyes.

  The over-the-door bell chimed, but he didn’t release her gaze. Not when Cooper strode in carting a folding table. Or when Livy moseyed up to give Ti a hello kiss on the cheek. Not when the bell rang a second time. Or when Grandma Jo’s voice sounded in the background. Drew didn’t blink, let alone breathe, until Maddie’s arms curled around his waist.

  “I can’t believe I finally get to make my own jewelry,” she practically squealed. “This is the coolest!”

  Drew stuffed the taffy in his pocket, whirled her up into a hug, and set her back down with a kiss to the head. He took in each face looking back at him from around the shop. “What are you guys all doing here?”

  Grandma Jo flaunted a no-brainer look. “We’re here to help.”

  “Sorry we’re a little late.” Livy tossed Cooper a teasing glare. “Someone got tied up figuring out which way to part his hair.”

  “Real funny. I had a time-sensitive matter to take care of.”

  “The hair,” Livy mouthed from behind him while patting the top of her head.

  Cooper sauntered toward Drew, dimples sinking in. “But I wouldn’t miss helping out my bro.” He planted a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “’Cause nothing says brotherhood like stringing bracelets together.”

  Ti turned in the opposite direction but couldn’t hide the laughter bobbing her shoulders.

  Drew fake-punched Coop in the ribs. “Get outta here.”

  Laughing, Cooper stumbled over to finish setting up the worktable. Maddie dove right in getting everyone squared away with materials, while Livy and Grandma Jo brought in chairs from the back room.

  Moved by his friends’ and family’s willingness to help him fight for the shop, Drew wrestled with apprehension until Livy’s words from last night finally broke through.

>   “It’s time to move on.”

  He thought he had. Annie certainly didn’t give him much of a choice. Forward. That’d always been the goal. No living in the past. But it took only one peek at the tank behind him to admit he’d been clinging to parts he was still afraid to let go of.

  Ti twisted her earring while staring at the floor. Here she was, caring enough to push him beyond his borders. Again. And he’d gotten defensive like a jerk. Again.

  Cooper tossed a wad of hemp string at him. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this, hoss.”

  “C’mon, Dad,” Maddie seconded.

  Ti grabbed Drew’s hand. “Actually, will you excuse us for a sec?” She steered him to the back room and started to pace. “I’m really sorry to broadside you like this. The idea for the jewelry came to me last night. I got so excited thinking about the difference it could make in sales, I sort of ran with it.”

  Sort of? She didn’t know any other mode. He blocked her path to the furnace. At least this project distracted her from pressing about her pottery idea.

  “I know other stores sell jewelry but not like this. I honestly believe it’ll be a good thing for the shop, but I should’ve asked you first. I should’ve—”

  “Ti.” He intercepted one of her strides past him. “It’s okay.”

  “Really?”

  He peered back at the glass and released an exhale along with his hold on things he couldn’t change. “Yeah, really. Sorry I snapped at you earlier.”

  Her smile out-sparkled any sea glass he’d ever found. In classic Ti-style, she sprang her arms around his neck with her bubbling-over enthusiasm. “It’s gonna be great, Drew. Promise.”

  His muscles constricted against her curves, the need to let go clashing with the fear of what that would cost him. A breath at a time, his fingertips traced her waistline till they grazed the warm skin along her lower back.

  An ache seized the center of his chest. Not just from the craving for physical contact. Something more. Deeper. A yearning for release to hope again.

  His arms tightened around her. I hope you’re right.

  Two hours of banging out the jewelry had sounded better in theory. Ti tied a knot in the anklet she was working on and rubbed her sore fingers.

  Cooper plopped his last piece on the stack in front of him. “Ten. Tell me that meets my quota.”

  Maddie set a cute turquoise bracelet on top of a pile twice the size of his and grinned. “Amateur.”

  “Oh, yeah?” The screech of Cooper’s chair blended into Maddie’s squeals as she bounded away from him across the display room.

  “Should we call it a night?” Livy hauled a box up from the floor.

  A quick survey of all they’d accomplished ended with a nod. Ti scooped up her pieces and set them in the box. “I think we made enough for now. Thanks for pitching in, guys.” She cupped a hand over Grandma Jo’s. “Seriously. It was a huge help.”

  “As long as we get to keep one, we’ll call it even.” Grandma Jo fingered an eye-catching necklace and winked.

  Ti laughed. “Gotta appreciate a woman with style.” She cut a glance Drew’s way. “Maybe you can rub some off on this one.”

  He stretched his arms behind him in a yawn. “There’s nothing wrong with my style.”

  “Says the button-down poster child.” All right, fine. So, he pulled off the loose-fitting shirt, rolled-up sleeves, sexy look pretty darn well, but still. The guy needed variety in his life.

  Drew pushed on the table to stand, slid a bracelet on his wrist with extra flair, and waved it at her. “How’s this?”

  “Fetching.”

  A glimpse of an eye roll circled over her as he turned.

  “C’mon. At least let me buy you a Henley or something.”

  Without taking the bait, he kept striding for the register.

  Cooper finally lowered Maddie’s feet to the floor.

  Still breathless from laughter, she gave him a good shove and scurried over to Grandma Jo and the chance to pick out her own handmade treasure.

  “You’re coming out tonight, right, hoss?” Cooper leaned in front of the register. “Don’t try to tell me you’re gonna pass up a drink after two hours of bedazzling.”

  Head angled, Drew pushed his sleeves up higher. But before he could get out a response, Cooper wheeled around. “That’s what I thought. Ladies, drinks at Dajio’s?”

  Livy perched a hand on her hip. “You buying?”

  His dimples answered for him.

  Grandma Jo traipsed over with an arm around Maddie’s back and nodded at Drew. “I’ll take her home. You stay out a while.”

  “Aw, I don’t know. I should—”

  “It wasn’t a question.” Shutting down any rebuttal, Grandma Jo led Maddie outside.

  Ti curled a strand of hair between her lips to keep from laughing. She liked Ms. Spunk more and more each day.

  Livy slid the box of jewelry on the counter. “Need help cleaning up the rest of this?”

  “I got it.” Drew tapped some papers into a stack. “You guys go ahead.”

  Cooper held the door open, while Ti waved Livy on.

  Drew had said he was fine with letting go of the glass collection. And truthfully, he’d been a good sport making the jewelry. But he’d stayed quiet most of the evening. A shade of torment still colored his eyes, but it’d turned even more complex. Should she risk asking?

  Ti folded her arms over the counter as he finished closing out the register. She tapped a paperclip against the wood. “I’m really sorry about overstepping my boundaries on this. I honestly didn’t mean to push.”

  “Thought we settled this already.”

  “So did I. But you’ve seemed sort of—I don’t know—off.”

  “Nope.” He rounded the edge, strode for the table, and folded the first chair. “Just have some things on my mind.”

  She followed. “Thinking about the foreclosure notice?”

  Drew’s hand idled over the next chair but only for a moment. “Among other things,” he mumbled.

  With her fingers laced behind her, she raised her shoulders. “You want to talk about it?”

  He cut a not-happening glance her way.

  “Right. Not good at talking. Got it. But if you wanted to—”

  “Ti . . .”

  “Okay.” She raised her palms. “I just want to make sure you know you’re not alone in all this.”

  Without looking up, he slowly propped a third folded chair against the others.

  Ti bit her lip. There she went, crossing boundaries again. What was wrong with her?

  But instead of retreating, Drew approached her. “You really care about helping us, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  Deep green eyes backed her up a step. “Why?”

  “I . . . just do.”

  He edged closer. In a matter of seconds, his presence filled the entire room. His aftershave, the hint of green tea on his lips, the unruly section of hair screaming for her fingers. She shuffled another inch backward.

  Drew’s chin dipped slightly, taking his gaze with it. “What you did today . . . getting everyone involved like that. It was sweet.” The corner of his mouth crept to the left as he found her eyes again. “Presumptuous, maybe. But sweet.”

  Despite his playful smile, something deeper lingered. Something she couldn’t read.

  “Drew.” Ti set a palm on his chest. His very solid chest. Dumb move. She whipped her hand away as if she’d just touched the fired-up furnace in the back. Smooth.

  She tucked her fingers safely under her arms and oscillated her weight from one leg to the other. Antsy much? Jeez, she needed to get a grip.

  He angled his head, green eyes claiming her. The heat of his skin this close drove her senseless. And with one heartbeat, antsy turned to downright paralyzed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Connection

  Ti dislodged the breath trapped in her rib cage and straightened. But once caught up in Drew’s gaze ag
ain, logic melted to the floor. He could say he was fine all he wanted. Could use any diversion tactic available. But nothing could mask the hint of uncertainty shadowing his eyes. It gripped her now as much as it had the night she first saw him. Even more so.

  “There’s something you’re not saying.” Her insubordinate hand reached for his cowlick. “Something hidden in this unsearchable mind of yours.” Did it have to do with his late wife? With Ti? It made sense for him to fear getting hurt all over again.

  When he lowered his gaze, the furrow in his brow squeezed around Ti’s heart. She’d be lying if she denied the connection between them. It surged with such intensity right now, her pulse nearly beat through her skin. But they couldn’t go there.

  Could they?

  A slow blink lifted his eyes to hers and hedged her back another step until there was nowhere else to go.

  “You always call it like you see it.” He flexed a palm to the wall pressing into her back. “So, tell me what you see?”

  She’d have to remember how to breathe first. Words stayed buried under her diaphragm. One swallow. Two.

  “Brokenness,” she finally said. So much, the pain could’ve been her own.

  His Adam’s apple bobbed. “And you think you can fix me.”

  What? “No, I—”

  “Then why do you make me want to . . . ?” His focus grazed her lips. “Why do you have to be so . . . ?”

  Her heart hammered against reason. “So what?”

  The inches between them confiscated each breath. She balled her fingers to keep from grabbing his shirt. But what if—?

  “So complicated.” With a hard exhale, Drew hung his head. He relented to the hint of a smile, as if pondering an inside joke, but the flicker of amusement faded as quickly as it came. He pushed off the wall and ran a hand under his collar. “We should probably go.”

  Sure. As soon as her legs solidified again. Or at least once her brain regained control of the rest of her. Had she seriously almost kissed him? How reckless was she?