Page 28 of Courage, Dear Heart

Jillian fidgets with the strap of her purse. “Why me?”

“I like you.” My response is small, sheepish.

She releases a long breath. “You’ve seen my life. I have a son, a demanding business, and a massive guilt complex. I’m not fancy. I hate to dress up, and I have more baggage than a cargo ship. I’m not the type of woman you’re used to dating.”

Her words cut like jagged glass. “What kind of woman do you think I’m dating?”

“Beautiful, strong, successful, business type.” She counts on her fingers.

“You are all those things too.” Can’t she see how amazing she is?

“I’m not.”

I count as well. “You have a successful business, you are beautiful, and you’re stronger than you think. Look at all you do on your own.”

Jillian shakes her head, letting out a small sigh. “I don’t know anything about you.”

My pulse quickens, but I keep my voice steady, soft. “Then let’s change that,” I say, glancing at her, a grin pulling at the corner of my mouth before I can stop it. “I’d love to spend more time together if you’re open to it.”

She arches an eyebrow. “Spend more time…like on dates?”

“Well, yeah.” I let out a quiet chuckle, more to break the tension than anything. “But only if you want to. Something simple and with Jamie too. Doesn’t have to be anything more than friends hanging out.” I keep my tone light because the last thing I want is for her to feel pressured.

She leans her head back against the seat, eyes closing as she takes a deep breath. There’s a pause, a slight shake of her head, and I can tell she’s hesitant. I understand. I get it. She’s been through more than anyone should ever have to handle. I know what it’s like to be guarded, to hesitate, to feel like taking a step forward might be stepping off a cliff. If this has to go slow, then slow it’ll be.

“You had fun today, right?” I keep my voice casual, not wanting to push. “Jamie loved every minute of it. What if...what if we did something next weekend? Something easy. As friends. No pressure, no expectations.”

She opens her eyes, studying my face like she’s trying to figure out if I mean it. The weight of her gaze, the quiet trust she’s extending, makes something tighten in my chest. This isn’t about some chase or conquest—this is about her and all that strength she doesn’t see in herself, all the beauty she doesn’t even realize she has.

“As friends?” There’s a hint of doubt in her voice, and I can see she’s wary like the thought of opening herself up even a little is terrifying.

I nod, pulling the car to a stop outside her shop, reluctant to end the day. “Yes. As friends.” My voice is steady, but my heart’s saying and hopefully something more, someday. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that but only when she’s ready. For now, all I want is the chance to show her what I see—that she’s strong, that she’s beautiful, that she’s so much more than she thinks.

She looks down, a small, hesitant smile forming on her lips, and I catch a glimpse of that softness, that vulnerability she keeps so well guarded. “Okay,” shemurmurs. “As friends.”

Hearing her say it feels like the first step, a tentative opening. I release a breath, smiling to myself. “Look at that. An empty parking spot right in front of your store.”

“Wow, that’s lucky. Empty spots don’t last long on this street.”

“I know.” I park and turn off the ignition. “It’s a sign. I’m meant to be here with you,” I joke. Kind of.

Jillian looks at me, eyes wide. “What did you say?”

TWELVE

Jillian

“I said, it—”

I try to smile. “Never mind.” I remove my seat belt and turn to open the door, my heart aching with the memory Elliott’s words unleashed. My hand freezes on the door handle as I surrender to the flashback. CJ’s words from years ago come back to me. We were talking about writing our wedding vows. We didn’t want to do the traditional wording.

“I’m not saying obey.”

CJ laughs. “I never expected you would.”

“I don’t like the ‘’til death do us part’ either. I’ll love you for eternity. I’ll say that instead.”

CJ goes quiet, his gaze unfocused. “If I die first, promise you’ll find someone. I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life.”

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