Page 26 of Not Until I Found You

“So what about your new neighbor?” she asks around a mouthful. “She’s related to Ashton, so I know she’s got to be beautiful.”

I focus on lining up Oreos that don’t need straightening. “Maxinne’s only staying for the summer.”

“So you have noticed her.”

“I mean, I have eyes.”

“And absolutely no interest?”

“Nope.”

Wren hums, unconvinced. The annoying part is I’m not sure I believe me either. I point toward the s’mores board.

“How about you finish this while I go chop some wood so we can build the fire.”

“Yes, sir.” She gives me a salute before getting to work.

I chuckle as I make my way outside, checking on Sven, who’s sniffing around and content for the moment. The air is cooler than it’s been all week, and I’m grateful for it. I grab the ax propped against the woodpile and let the familiar rhythm take over.

Chop. Crack. Thud.

A small stack grows at my feet, each log a promise of flames to come. I’ve always appreciated a good campfire. It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, fall, or the dead of winter; there’s something about sitting by a fire that helps me reset. Maybe it’s the way the smoke curls into the night sky, as if it carries the weight of the week with it. After pulling double shifts lately, it’s exactly what I need tonight.

Sven barks as headlights appear, and I spot Maxinne’s car pulling into the driveway next door. Right on cue, Sven rushes toward her.

“Hey, boy,” she says, closing the car door and bending down to give him a hug.

I walk toward them, a grin spreading across my face as she stands up. She’s completely covered in mud and is holding a pair of broken sandals in one hand. I’m about to make a funny comment, but the words halt in the back of my throat once I see her expression.

She has mascara streaked down her cheeks, and her eyes are rimmed with redness—evidence she’s been crying. I’m quickly reminded of how I found her crying this morning and that I probably should give her some space.

However, I can’t seem to help myself when I ask, “Are you okay?”

Her lip quivers as she motions toward her mud-covered body. “I’ll survive, I suppose.”

I take another step closer and level my head with hers. “That’s not what I asked.”

She sucks in a breath, her eyes revealing her internal emotional battle.

“No. I’m not okay,” she answers before crumbling in front of me.

On instinct, I reach out and wrap her in a hug. I place a hand on the back of her head and bring her closer to my chest while keeping my other on her back. Her body trembles against mine as sobs begin to escape her, and a sense of protectiveness overcomes me.

Maxinne is Ashton’s little sister, after all, so naturally I want to help and make sure she’s taken care of while she’s here visiting. Even if warning bells are going off inside my brain, silently telling me ’Warning, warning, you are touching a female you can’t catch any feelings for!’ That doesn’t mean I can’t offer her friendship.

After a while, she calms down and removes herself from my embrace. She sniffles, and I try not to notice how cute she is when she looks up at me with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be,” I assure her.

“I’m a mess,” she mumbles and wipes her cheeks. “Literally.”

I follow her hands as they motion up and down her mud-covered jeans and tank top. I want to ask her what happened, but decide not to press it. Yet. I will totally be asking her later.

“And I got some on you, I’m⁠—”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing. Your mess doesn’t bother me.”