Page 51 of Make You Mine

“What happened to Eliza’s mom? Stop me if I’m being nosy.”

She waved her hand around as she took a sip of her coffee. “I’m an open book.” She laughed lightly. “Plus, after you’ve been in town for a while, the local gossips—my grandma being the biggest—will find a way to let you know all about my family.”

“So, I’m getting the story straight from the source. Nice.”

“Exactly. Dad left her. No one knows where he is most of the time. Grandpa says he’s always chasing the next big thing, but it always ends up being just one heartbreak after another. Eliza’s mom is still picking up the pieces. He strung her along for years, and now he’s gone again.”

“That’s terrible.” I took a bite of a blueberry muffin and moaned out loud. “Piper, these are amazing.”

Her smile was radiant. “Thank you! It’s only a matter of time before Grandpa gets her to come.”

“He sounds like a great grandfather.”

“He’s the best, and I know he’ll like you. You’re cut from the same cloth.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It’s definitely a compliment.”

Smog stirred, then headbutted my side and started purring. Nimbus was still out like a light. “Does Nimbus usually sleep this long?”

“I think he exhausted himself trying to scratch through the wall to get at the raccoons. He’d been obsessed with that corner since we moved in. I should have taken him seriously.”

“Like when they were pooping in Richard’s shoes?”

She laughed, the sound bright and infectious. “Exactly.”

“And what are they telling you now?” I stroked Smog’s soft fur as he leaned against me, nuzzling into my palm.

A thoughtful expression crossed her face, and her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink as she watched Smog melt into my side. “They’re telling me something I’m not ready to hear yet.”

“Fair enough,” I answered, keeping my voice gentle, not wanting to break this peaceful moment. Her gaze met mine, and for a moment, I saw hope mingle with fear. But then she looked away. I could be patient. I had no other choice. She snuck up on me and I didn’t want to lose this feeling.

Smog’s purring grew louder, a soft rumble of contentment that filled the room. I glanced over at Nimbus, now stirring slightly in his sleep.

“I’m sorry, Ren, I?—”

“Sweetheart, no. I love your honesty. Demands and pressure leave a path of destruction in any relationship—family, friends, all of them. I’d never want to push you. What we do or don’t do can only be on your terms since you’re the one not ready for more.”

She sighed deeply and looked at me through her lashes. “I know I asked this before, but how can you possibly be real?”

“You learn a lot about relationships in my line of work,” I joked. “I’m constantly adding to the list of what not to do. One that I started early by observing my father.”

“Okay, but your terms count, too, Ren. Don’t let me push you.” Her eyes were earnest and beautiful as she met my gaze.

“Don’t worry. I already know you won’t.”

“Okay, good.” She breathed. “But promise to tell me if something changes. I don’t want to push youaway, either.”

“I promise, you won’t.”

“I’m just not ready for?—”

“I get it. You don’t have to explain. You just got out of a bad relationship, I understand, and I think we’re on the same page. I’m hesitant to dive into anything as well. I never thought I’d—” I held back, not wanting to spill my guts this early. I’d scare her off by telling her I never thought I could feel like this for anyone, that I wanted her, that I could fall for her, and I probably was already falling. I knew her enough to know that now was not the time to tell her.

“It’s okay. I never imagined I’d be interested in anyone this soon after what happened with Richard and Dana. This is new territory for me, too. Sad that at this age I finally—never mind.”

“This is new for both of us. We’ll navigate it together,” I reassured her, taking her hand across the tray.

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