“And I get that and it’s so sweet of you, but we’re here foryou. Not for me.”
“Eliza’s a published author. She could help you.”
“With what?” Luna asked. “I don’t have a finished story. I’m … I’m not even sure of what path I want to take.” She took his hands. “You’re so sweet to offer, honestly, you are, but please, don’t.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he saw how uncomfortable she was. “Fine. No more asking book questions.”
“Thank you.” She stepped toward him.
“I’m here for you, Luna. I want you to be able to reach your dreams.”
“I know you are.”
He glanced past her shoulder and saw his father and Holly looking toward them. “Let’s go and make the real introductions.”
“What do you mean?”
Matthew pulled her against his side, kissed her cheek, and then placed his arm across her shoulders. “Exactly what I mean.” They walked over to his parents. Holly wasn’t his actual mother, but she had stepped up into the role without any animosity. “Mom. Dad. I’d like for you both to meet my girl, Luna.”
Luna tensed by his side, and he kissed her cheek, trying to calm her. It was time for her to meet his parents because he had no intention of ever letting her go.
Holly smiled, and his dad gave the smallest hint of a smile, which meant he was happy. He’d done good.
****
Maya stood back from the gym and watched as Preach worked out. He lay on his back and pushed out a breath as he shoved some scary-looking weights up into the air. The thickness of his muscles fascinated her.
Preach was a good man. She sensed it.
“Are you going to keep staring at me or are you going to come in and talk?” he asked.
She hadn’t realized she’d been caught. Part of her wanted to run and hide. She ignored that part, and instead, stepped into the room. “Hey.”
Preach didn’t say a word as he pushed the weights up into the air, counting as he did.
Once he was done, he slowly put them back on the bar just a little behind him, and he sat up. A cloth rested on his knee, and he picked it up to wipe his face. “What’s up?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Do you think I haven’t seen you stalking me, little girl?”
“I’m not a little girl, and I haven’t been stalking.”
“You’re everywhere. What do you want?” Preach asked.
This wasn’t going exactly as she hoped. Yes, there might have been an element of stalking to her approach, but it wasn’t done on purpose. She had every intention of coming and asking him a question, but she held herself back.
“It’s not important.” She went to turn on her heel.
“You know you don’t get shit done in this world unless you act. You think I hovered between doorways in the service? Waiting to ask questions? No. That would have gotten us all killed. I acted.”
“Did you ever kill anyone?”
Preach stared at her, long and hard. There was no way he was going to answer that question, and the truth was, she already knew the answer.
“Fine. Sorry. I, er, I was, I’m feeling like a third wheel. With Landon and Anna. I was wondering if you could help me find my own place.”
“What does Duke say?”