Page 89 of Without a Hitch
“You like her more than I realized.” My sister leans in and shoulder-bumps me.
I tug on my earlobe, and before I can stop myself, my hand reaches for the vest I’m not wearing. Nova grins and shakes her head as she plops down on the top step. I join her, keeping my gaze on Tilly.
“You know, I spoke to her brother-in-law this morning,” Nova says.
“Colton?” He may be my friend, but I don’t want him anywhere near my sister.
“No, one of the other ones. His wife is the photographer that shot my fashion show a couple of years ago?”
“Halton,” I grunt. I don’t know him well, but Colton’s entire family is made up of good people. “What did he have to say?”
“Well, I mentioned I’d met Tilly.” My gaze snaps to hers. “I didn’t give anything away. I don’t need details about why she uses a fake name at these weddings, or why she’s keeping it a secret that she’s spending time with you, but it was an interesting conversation.”
“Why’s that?” I try to keep my tone neutral, but like everything else where Tilly is concerned, I have zero self-control.
“He described her as kind of a wallflower, a huge heart, but someone who helps everyone else shine.”
I jerk at the hem of this godforsaken shirt. “She’s not a wallflower,” I grunt in displeasure.Do they know her at all?
“That’s what I thought, but Halton’s wife agreed. They had the nicest things to say about her, but none of it seemed to fit. Not how she is with you anyway, from the small glimpse I had of you guys together.”
“What else did they say?” My neck itches, and my palms prickle. Why didn’t I change back into my suit?
“Just that she’s a good girl. So are her sisters and friends. But they also said that Tilly is the one they know the least. She’s always moving around in the background, getting things done. Making sure everyone is happy.”
“She does,” I mutter. “But how can they not see she’s so much more than that?”
“You know, even in families, we have a role to play, and what’s expected of us isn’t always who we’re meant to be. I think sometimes the best parts of ourselves only blossom when the right person is nurturing them.”
“What does that mean?”
Nova tilts her head to study me. “It means, big brother, that sometimes we only become who we’re meant to be when we feel safe enough to let the big, scary parts out. Maybe you give her something no one else can. If every other person in her life views her as a wallflower, it must be you giving her the courage to embrace the hidden parts of herself.”
“That’s ridiculous. I was drawn to her because she was this fiery little thing that didn’t take anyone’s shit. She didn’t become that way because of me.”
“Maybe not,” she agrees. “But how many people in her real life get to see that side of her?”
Who sees you the way I do, Till?
“It’s only temporary,” I finally admit.
“I’m not going to get into a war with you over this, Loch. Your view of marriage is skewed. I think it’s time to reevaluate your stance on a few things before it ruins your future. Just because you thought something once, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Stop being so rigid in your thinking.”
“Stiff,” I grumble.
“What?”
“Tilly said I was…that I was stiff.” I pluck at the baby trackies. “She’s trying to get me to relax and have fun. She wants to pretend this is a real vacation.”
“Well, you are stiff. But you weren’t alwayssostiff, and you are kind of on vacation already. Did you tell her that Kitty is covering the office so you can learn all about the winery over the next few weeks?”
“She knows I’m here for the winery, but not about Mum.”
“So, you’re holding back from her.”
“No.” She raises her brows. “I’m not. You interrupted us before I could agree to her terms.”
“You’re compromising?” Nova asks in shock.
