That thought had my stomach tightening. I didn’t have it in me to go another round with Jax this soon. “I will.”
“You said that too quickly.” Boden brushed the hair away from my face. “Please, call. Even if you don’t need me. If you’d just like me to be there. I could be your assistant for the day.”
“I bet we’d be the most popular shop in town.”
He grimaced. “Having a recognizable face does have its downside sometimes.”
I pressed my palm against his chest. “I promise not to sell you out to the residents of Wolf Gap. And I promise I’ll call if I run into trouble or get bored.”
“Good.”
I pulled out of Boden’s embrace before I had a chance to reconsider. Those arms could hold me hostage without even trying. I focused on only the next step: getting Gizmo in his car seat and then pulling down the drive. I fought the urge to look in the rearview mirror but ultimately couldn’t hold out.
Boden stood there, framed by the door, looking intently at my SUV. Our eyes met in the mirror, and I swore he saw into my very soul. I tore my gaze away and focused on the road.
It had been so long since I’d felt truly seen. There were so many pieces of myself that I held back. Pieces that I could protect if I didn’t expose them. But it was as if Boden had a radar for them all.
I pulled into my parking spot behind The Gallery and turned off the engine. Gizmo let out a little whine.
“I know. I didn’t want to leave either.” I climbed out of the SUV and retrieved him from the backseat, setting him down on the ground. He hurried to the back door. I fumbled with my keys, searching for the right one.
A shadow fell over the door. I jolted, whirling around, keys clutched in my hand as Gizmo let out a series of barks. My hand flew to my chest as I let out a whoosh of air. “Marisa.”
“Sorry. I thought you heard me.” Her gaze darted around the alley as if she were expecting someone else to pop out at any moment.
A shiver skated down my spine, and I hurried to unlock the door. “I think we’re all a little jumpy these days. Come on in.”
Gizmo led the way but cast a few leery looks back at Marisa. I made quick work of getting him some breakfast. “Can I get you some coffee, hot chocolate, or tea?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.”
I set to work making myself some tea. The busy work for my hands helped as I waited for Marisa to speak.
“You’re dating Boden Cavanaugh?”
It wasn’t the question I’d thought she would lead with, but I didn’t blame her for being curious.
“I don’t know that I’d go that far. We’re…friends.” That wasn’t right, either. There wasn’t a term that felt like it fit Boden and me.
“I’d say it was more than that. I heard he nearly knocked Jax out.”
Great. Just what Boden didn’t need, the town gossiping about him getting into an altercation.
I poured hot water over my tea bag. “It’s Jax. Everyone’s a breath away from knocking him out.”
Marisa choked on a laugh. “I guess that’s true.”
How long had it been since I’d heard my friend laugh? I honestly couldn’t remember. Was it before the accident? “I’m sorry, Marisa. I hate that I let things get to the point they’re at now.”
She stiffened, her eyes hardening. “I told you Scott didn’t kill himself.”
“I never said that he did. Accidental overdoses happen all the time.”
“It wasn’t an accident, either. We know that now.”
I wrapped my hands around my mug, trying to fight back the worst of the chill. “Have you talked to Hayes? Does he know that for sure?”
Marisa’s mouth pressed into a firm line. “He says he’s still looking into it. But I know Scott. He wouldn’t have. He knew how much losing Jase hurt us. He wouldn’t have been so reckless with his life.”