“Glad to hear it. It would be a real bummer if you were fine without me.”
I grinned into his chest, but at the same time, a lick of panic flitted through me. Because I would never be fine without Hayes. But I might have to learn to live that way anyway.
I released my hold on him and stepped back. “Come on in. Whatever’s in there smells amazing.”
“How do you feel about a Mexican feast?”
“I feel great about it. Hey, where’s Koda?”
“He’s with Shy today.” We moved into the living area, and Chip scurried back into his hidey-hole. “I’ll never get used to that dang thing.”
I pulled out some plates and cutlery. “He’s cute. Admit it.”
“He’d be cute if he lived in the barn.”
“Too late now, he’s domesticated. He wouldn’t survive out there with that limp. And he was my first friend.”
Hayes lifted a brow. “Your first friend.”
“I wasn’t sure what the welcome would be like when I got here. I was bracing for a full town shunning. I thought he might be my only friend.”
Hayes set the bags of food on the counter. “Come here.” I walked into his open arms, and he rested his chin on the top of my head. “I’m sorry you were so scared. And even more sorry that I was such a grade-A jerk when I came up here that first time.”
“That first couple of times, you mean?”
He grunted. “I was an idiot.”
“It takes a real man to admit the truth,” I said with a chuckle. Then I tipped my head back so my chin rested on Hayes’ sternum. “But you’re forgiven. You don’t need to keep apologizing.”
“I do when I feel like an ass.”
I slipped a hand under the hem of his untucked work shirt, running my fingers along the golden skin and taut muscle. “You learned from it. That’s all any of us can ask for. Hope for.”
He brushed the hair away from my face. “I’ve learned a lot from you.”
“Really?
”
“Yup. Come on, I’ll tell you over dinner.”
“Want to eat on the back deck? I got a new table from the secondhand shop after work. It’s all set up.”
He frowned at me. “I would’ve helped you with that.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can handle a table and a few chairs.”
He felt my biceps. “You look so tiny, but you’ve got muscles.”
“I have to lure my enemies into underestimating me.”
Hayes chuckled. “I’d say you’ve got that covered. Come on, let’s eat.”
I put the flowers in some water and then followed Hayes out to the back deck. He’d already set up an elaborate display of food, enough to feed at least eight. “Are we celebrating something I don’t know about? Having a party?”
“As a matter of fact, we are celebrating something.”
I sat down in the chair catty-corner to Hayes’. “And that is?”