Page 57 of Lone Wolf in Lights
“Talk to us, man,” Gunner urged, his voice laced with a seriousness that belied his usual easy grin. “We heard Willow came by.”
“She did,” Eli countered, his jaw set. “We’re taking a step back. We both know neither of us was ready for anything beyond a fake relationship. Just can’t avoid that anymore.”
Jaxon frowned. “It’s pretty clear to everyone you two are the real deal.”
“Maybe we are. Maybe we’re not,” Eli said, “But there’s a reason I’ve been single, and that reason is glaringly obvious now. The last thing I want to do is hurt Willow because I don’t have my shit together. Shedeservesto be with someone solid.”
Neither of them could argue with that.
Though Gunner just said, “I know you’re going through it, but don’t let your fears rob you both of something real.”
Eli looked between his two friends, their faces earnest and supportive. They were right, of course—he knew it deep down. Willow had somehow breached the walls around his heart, and now the thought of losing what they had was unbearable.
But what did that change?
Not a damn thing.
“I need to head to the hardware store,” he said, avoiding the topic altogether.
They both shook their heads at him but stayed silent.
Eli made his way to his truck, the sound a steady reminder that he was walking away from more than just the ranch. His friends’ words echoed in his mind, but it was the memory of Willow’s smile, the one that shined with her incredible heart, that clenched his heart with an iron grip.
He climbed into the truck, determined to get his mind on something else. The hardware store had always been his refuge. He had some projects he needed to work on at the house—and working with his hands always quieted his mind.
The drive was short, too short for Eli’s liking, and before he knew it, he was pulling up to an open parking spot in front of The Book Bean. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but the thought of warm coffee sliding down his throat, bitter and strong, was too tempting to ignore.
Stepping inside, the café enveloped him in its cozy embrace. The scent of freshly ground coffee beans hit him first. Soft murmurs of conversation played background to the gentle clink of porcelain. The warmth of the room, filled with rustic bookshelves and worn leather armchairs, welcomed him.
The owner of the café, Isabella, gave him a wave as she brewed a cappuccino. He knew her from high school, when she dated Jaxon.
He waved back. “Black coffee, please,” he ordered, his voice rougher than he intended.
The barista nodded and went about preparing his drink.
When she returned with his coffee, Eli found a secluded corner. He settled into the chair, leaving his coat on. Not planning to stay long, he took his cell from his pocket to respond to the emails he heard dinging in his inbox on the drive. Emails from potential horse buyers awaited his attention.
As he typed responses, he sipped the scalding liquid, welcoming the burn, when the chime above the door sang out. Eli’s thumb was still over his phone as a gust of laughter and conversation swept through the room. The Empowerment Elves ladies filtered in with a flutter of excitement, their hands filled with bags of yarn, felt and an array of colorful craft supplies.
“Isabella!” Willow’s voice, clear and bright, cut through the hum of the café. “How’s the little one?”
“Growing faster than a weed,” replied Isabella, her warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners. A child that Jaxon had helped birth on the side of the road when Isabella and her husband couldn’t make it to the hospital on time.
“That’s so great,” Willow said. “Thanks again for your coffee donations for the Christmas market. We’ve got them all bundled up with ribbon and bells. They look great.”
“Wonderful news,” Isabella said. “I’m so pleased. I heard there was an incident at the bar. Are you all okay?”
“We’re all good now,” Willow said. “We’re just busy trying to fix some of the crafts that got damaged before the market.”
Conversation soon turned into orders, and then the group began leaving the coffee shop.
As Willow turned, her gaze landed on Eli, her eyes widening before her face transformed into her sweet, gentle smile. She raised her hand in a wave, and time slowed, every second feeling like a minute longer.
Eli felt his chest tighten, the sight of her like a punch to his gut—a mixture of elation and dread. He acknowledged her with a nod, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile that he could not truly feel. The warmth that radiated from their connection seared through him, even as he realized the coldness of the distance between them.
And damn it all, he hated that he might be losing the best thing to ever happen to him.
“Come on, Willow,” someone called, drawing her attention back to the group, but not before Eli caught the flicker of something unsaid in her eyes—something that made him wish he could cross that distance in one stride and never look back.
