Page 77 of Never and Always
His hand slid into my hair and tugged. “Quiet. This isn’t your fault.”
I cocked a brow.
His lips twitched. “Okay, I’m going to make us hot chocolate and we’re going to sit by the fire. Go get comfy.”
While he puttered around in the tiny kitchen, I kicked my boots off, and curled up on the couch. It was as comfortable as it looked. I let out a long breath as I stared at the crackling fire, and felt some tension leave me. Turning my head, I watched Everett.
And felt more tension leave me.
He was so sexy. The flannel shirt look had grown on me, against my will, not that I was ever telling him that. He’d grown on me, too.
He strode my way with that easy, loose-limbed stride of his. “Here you go.”
He passed me a red mug, and I smelled the chocolatey goodness. I cradled it. “I can’t remember the last time I had hot chocolate.”
“I guess the COO of Langston Hotels prefers French champagne and fancy cocktails.”
My chest squeezed. “I always loved hot chocolate growing up. My gram would make it for me.”
He met my gaze.
I sipped the drink and smiled. “Delicious.”
“Good.” He came back with his own mug and a plate loaded with finger food. Cheese, crackers, a dip that looked yum, some fruit and pate.
“The kitchen put it together for me.” He sat down beside me. “Now, you’re going to eat and relax.”
I snagged some cheese and a cracker. “You can’t order me to relax, Murray. That’s not how it works.”
“I’ll get you there.” He grabbed some berries.
We talked and ate, and damn him, I did relax. I ate some of the dip and moaned. “That is so good.”
Everett took a bite as well, and his eyes widened. “Damn, that is good.”
“Told you. Chef Harden is worth all the effort it takes to keep him from killing his staff or his customers.”
Everett laughed. “You okay?”
“You mean my arm?”
“I mean about Chance deserting you today.”
I felt like a weight hit my shoulders. “No. I was in danger, danger he’d put me in, and he ran, Everett. He left me.”
His hand slid along the back of the couch and squeezed the back of my neck. “I’m sorry, babe.”
“He left.” I thought of the brother I loved so much, who’d looked up to me, trusted me, loved me. “I don’t know him anymore.”
Everett rubbed my neck, and that touch grounded me. Helplessness and disappointment filled me, but having him here helped. “He’s made bad mistake, after bad mistake. I’ve given him money, then when I realized that was enabling him, not helping him, I offered to help him get the treatment he needs. He’s ignored it or gotten angry at me.”
“You can’t help someone until they’re ready to help themselves.”
“I know.” I sighed. “But he’s my brother and I love him. And as you know, solving problems is my thing,”’
“You can solve your work ones, or your own ones, but you can’t always solve someone else’s.”
I nodded sadly.
