Boden’s brows pulled together. “Gilly is related to Jase?”
“His aunt. Serena’s his sister.”
Sympathy swept over his expression. “That’s a hard loss.”
Boden’s kindness and understanding bled the defensiveness right out of me. “I was avoiding you.”
One side of his mouth lifted in that half-smile I was growing addicted to. “I know.”
“You don’t have to sound so cocky.”
“It’s not cocky to understand someone.”
“You think you understand me?”
The smile fell a fraction. “I know pieces of you. Understand them because I’ve lost, too. It’s a club no one wants to be a part of.”
“No, it’s not.”
Boden moved in closer. “What are you scared of?”
I stared into those swirling, hazel eyes. It was as if they bewitched me into speaking. “Getting used to having you here.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but it hinted at it.
“What if I want you to get used to it?”
“You don’t live here. You’re from a different universe. You travel the world, making movies. My whole life revolves around this tiny town.”
“Those are the details, not the important things. Connection, understanding,feeling, that’s the important stuff. We can figure out the rest.”
I scoffed. “Those things are important to me. My routine, knowing what I can count on. I need that.”
Hurt flashed in Boden’s eyes. “You can count on me.”
“You can’t just say that and demand that I believe it. You have to earn it.”
Boden ran a hand through his hair, his fingers leaving disheveled trails in their wake. “Then give me a damn chance to earn it. Don’t push me out because I saw you in less than your full suit of armor.”
I froze. “I’m not…” My words trailed off because that was precisely what I’d done. Pushed him away because it felt safe. I was brave in so many areas of my life. But this one? I was nothing but a coward.
Boden sensed an opening. “Let me cook you dinner.”
“I’m not good at this…stuff.” I’d had exactly one boyfriend. I’d dated some in the years in between, but nothing had feltrightenough to let it get truly serious. Maybe because I’d always chosen guys that I didn’t see a future with.
“I’m not, either. Out of practice, and probably awkward as hell. But I think we can muddle through it together.”
I studied the man in front of me. The one who overflowed with such kindness. Who seemed to know just how much to push. “Okay.”
Boden beamed—that uninhibited smile that was a rare treasure. “Okay, then. Is there anything you don’t eat?”
“Wait, didn’t you say that you had no idea how to cook? That you were existing on frozen meals alone?” The last thing we needed was to end up with an epic case of food poisoning.
He chuckled, and I swore I felt the vibrations of it on my skin.
“When I said I was going to cook, what I really meant was that I would pick up copious amounts of takeout.”
“That sounds much safer.”
Boden reached out, his fingers tangling in a strand of my hair as he tucked it behind my ear. “Is that a yes to copious amounts of takeout with me tonight?”