Page 15 of Durango

“No! I mean, I’ve enjoyed seeing you not always in protective mode. Even when I was in high school and I’d visit your sister, Pricilla, you were always watching, protecting.”

I grunt, then wince. Why the hell did I grunt? “I think I was doing much more watching than anything else.”

She laughs. “I really never had any idea you thought of me like that.”

I hid my crush as best I could, apparently, too well, since she went for Ozzie when we saw her again in Virginia all those years later.

“A few months ago, you said you need time before you would go out on a date. Is that still true?”

She averts her gaze, and immediately, I regret asking.

“Let’s just pretend I didn’t ask.”

She places her hand on mine. “No, it’s a fair question. I’m sorry, but I’m still not ready. But I’m working on it.”

I bite back my reply. She’s been saying she isn’t ready for a date since we reconnected. She swears it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with her. It’s getting harder to believe her. But in my current condition, I’m not in a place to argue. I couldn’t take her out even if she said yes.

“I’m sorry. I really don’t mean to keep putting you off,” she says.

And now I feel like an ass. I take her hand in mind. “Please don’t be sorry. Clearly, you’ve gone through something and need time. You’re worth waiting for, Willow.”

Her cheeks flush pink, and she turns her gaze away. I reach out and turn her face back to mine. “I mean it. But if, at any point, you don’t want to pursue something with me, please tell me. It will suck, but I can handle it.”

Willow stands and walks away from the couch. Her back is to me.

“Willow?”

She turns, and tears are streaming down her cheeks. “You are such a good man, Durango. Thank you.”

I want to ask her what exactly she’s crying about, but my gut says not to push.

CHAPTER 6

Willow

After our talk,Durango was tired, so I left him alone in his room to nap. He’s been sleeping a lot lately, but Piper explained the doctor wanted him to get as much rest as possible to heal during this stage.

Once he’s settled, I check my phone. I’m in a group text chat with Madison and Alicia—Thunder’s and Lightning’s girlfriends. Once Piper told them about me, they insisted I go to happy hour with them. I did, and we all got along so well. According to them, Durango has not had a girlfriend that they know of, and the possibility that he might had them curious as to what I was like.

They’ve invited me out to their monthly happy hour twice now, and it’s been fun. This morning, they invited me to go to lunch with them. That’s new. Something I would love to do, but I can’t today. I write back explaining why I can’t meet for lunch but invite them over for coffee afterward here at Ozzie’s.

If I talk to someone about what’s going on, hopefully, I can figure out how to get past this block I seem to have. My ex was cruel. But I can’t let what he did prevent me from pursuinghappiness ever again. Yet, anytime I think about letting my walls down with Durango, I panic.

I stare at my phone, waiting for their reply. I keep staring at the bubbles. Whatever they are typing must be long. Finally, a message comes through.

Madison:We are coming over. See you in five.

I smile. This is exactly what I need.

I make a pot of coffee and am just finishing up when they text they are here. Since the building is secured, I have to go down and bring them up. The moment I see them, relief washes over my body.

“What happened to lunch?” I ask.

Madison smiles. “It can wait. We need to help you out first.”

“I’ve got fresh coffee upstairs. Durango is sleeping, so we will need to be quiet.”

“Sounds great,” Alicia says as we all get into the elevator.

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