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—Simone—
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Tuneful singing and the sounds of construction came through the hedge from next door while I weeded the established vegetable garden in the backyard. Each weed pulled vented the frustration Banks created. Tears stung my eyes on and off as my thoughts shifted between Reagan, missing Kasey, and stewing with irritation after Banks ruined my morning walk. So much for starting off in Gatlin Falls the way I meant to continue.
The sun beat down and soon had me stripping off Reagan’s hoodie. Casting it aside, I welcomed the heat on my bare shoulders as I leaned over the garden bed, tugging at weeds and creating a sense of accomplishment as I made progress.
Knocking in the background pulled me from the meditative state. Initially, I thought it was the neighbor working on his projects, but when I stood and cocked my head, I heard my name being shouted.
“Hello? Simone?”
Cursing, I hurried through the backdoor of the cottage, and sure enough, a male silhouette was outlined through the clouded-glass panels in the front door.
I quickly wiped my forearm across my forehead to remove both beads of sweat and rogue hair, then flicked the lock.
The air punched from my lungs as I whipped the door open. Standing on my porch with a huge grin on his face was none other than Banks fucking Gatlin.
My eyes narrowed into a fierce glare, and I leaned on the doorframe, ignoring the items in his hands. “Really? After everything, you still come to my home to annoy me?”
His smile slipped a little under the faded blue baseball cap. “I really think we got off on the wrong foot, so I’ve come to say sorry with a succulent because, well, I sucked for kissing you without asking as well as upsetting you this morning, and the word suck is in succulent—” He made little circles in the air with the pot, “—but I don’t need to overexplain; I’m sure you get the pun.”
I rolled my eyes. “I get it. And thanks.” Reluctantly accepting the little green pot with one hand, I awkwardly held it while he explained the pie.
“And my mom made this. Can’t have a Sunday without a pie. It’s homegrown peach and apricot, and the best in town. I’m biased, obviously,” he rambled, then frowned at me. “But don’t tell Miss Angie; she won’t let me in the diner again if she finds out I said that.”
Like I cared, but I still muttered, “I won’t.”
Banks offered the pie dish closer. “Please, take it.”
Exhaling a deep breath for patience, and without thinking, I reached forward, then froze when Banks’s attention fell to my arm. His sharp hazel gaze flicked up to mine, then returned to the multiple blade tracks on my arm. I didn’t bother covering my arms when I was by myself, but I always endeavored to hide them from others.
I recoiled and took a hasty step back, already closing the door in his face. “You need to leave.”
The toe of his boot stopped the door from slamming. “Simone, please. There’s no judgment. But now that I’ve seen them, I need to know if you’re okay.”
“Unsee them,” I hissed, trying desperately to kick his foot from the door gap.
“Ain’t happenin’. And you don’t have the pie Mom made for you!”
Hissing a frustrated curse, I opened the door enough to snatch the pie dish from his hand. “Now move your foot.”
He didn’t move, and his eyes locked on mine. “Only once you promise you’re okay.”
“Jesus, you really can’t take a hint, can you? Move your fucking foot!”
“Promise me,” he ground out through gritted teeth.
I bared mine. “I promise. Happy?”
My irritation pushed higher when he didn’t move. “Well, if I’m being honest, not really.”
“Ugh!”
He withdrew his boot, and the door slammed closed between us. I remained rooted to the spot, panting hard, and white-knuckle gripping both the pie dish and the little succulent pot.
No boot-steps sounded outside, and I imagined Banks also taking a second to catch his breath.
“Leave, Banks, please!” I cried, barely hanging on.
A deep sigh founds its way through the old door. “Okay, I’m going. But please be okay.”
Tears prickled. The unexpected ache in his tone landed directly on my aching heart. It was as if his soul recognized how broken mine was and silently called to it.
I held in the sobs until his truck started, then hung my head as they tore free.
