Page 57 of Forsaken Hearts
Her stomach dropped.
“You’re analyzing everybody who walks through that door.”
Summer scanned the room again. “I can’t help it.”
“Try to act normal. I’m here, honey. Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch.”
Her heart hitched, and she issued another unsteady breath as emotions tangled in her chest.
He stepped closer and his knuckles stroked over hers. The contact sent a bolt of electricity through her, too warm to not hover around her heart.
“Let’s make it through the night,” he murmured. “You do your job. I’ll keep you safe.”
Heat climbed into her cheeks despite the fear still twisting through her nerves. How was one man capable of making her feel safer and more vulnerable at the exact same time?
She watched him make his way through the crowded bar to take his usual seat at the poker table. He’d given her so much already—his time and his care. And a wonderful date complete with flowers and a meal that never would have fit in her budget.
Not to mention the ridiculous snack trays he insisted on for movie night with her son.
She’d spent so many years surviving that she forgot life could feellightsometimes. She forgot happiness could sneak up quietly instead of arriving with fireworks and a parade.
He glanced up at her, and across the room, their gazes met for a throbbing beat.
It hit her hard—how she already cared about Vander. She had for a long time.
Just weeks ago, she couldn’t see a future with him.
Now she could…and it was beautiful and terrifying.
What she saw wasn’t a fantasy or temporary lust. It was movie nights with Ben and coffee in the mornings.
Vander filling space so naturally in the hollow places in her life that it already felt wrong when hewasn’tthere.
This was even more dangerous now, because Ben was involved. This wasn’t just about her heart anymore. If Vander left someday, she wouldn’t be the only one hurting afterward. She’d have to help Ben survive it too.
She forced a smile onto her face, picked up her tray and delivered drinks to a table. All the while, her brain worked through her situation. Life taught her before that promises and permanence weren’t always the same thing.
Across the room, Vander caught her looking at him.
His smile wasn’t flirtatious or filled with heat. It looked like seeing her made his entire night better too.
And for the first time in years, Summer found herself wanting to believe in a future that involved him.
Chapter Ten
Pope made breakfast like a man preparing soldiers for a field exercise, and he didn’t realize how ridiculous that was until Summer stopped in the kitchen doorway and stared at the amount of food on the table.
“Um…are we expecting company this morning?” She pressed her fingers to her lips at the spread of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast stacked on a plate with a jar of jam beside it, and pancakes because Ben asked for them. In the center of the homey table sat the vase of flowers he’d given her.
“We’re celebrating.” He pulled out a chair and waved for her to sit. “Your Saturday off.”
Saturdays off were rare for Summer. The Stockyard needed all hands on deck on weekends too often to hand them out very often, but Pope had memorized the rotation and knew Summer’s schedule.
Ben rushed into the kitchen. “Oh wow! Look at all the food!”
He scrambled into his chair and Summer sank to the one Pope pulled out for her.
He sat opposite her, and their gazes met. “Eat up. We’re going to need the calories.”
