Page 21 of Fragile Hearts

“Yes, positive,” I say, stepping around to take her hand in mine. “Let’s go.”

I lead her down the back steps to the outdoor seating area that overlooks the main pool. Turning left, I bypass the bar and small café and instead take her over to the cabanas that line the far side of the pool and stretch out to the oceanfront.

“Owen, where are we going?” she asks, squeezing my hand.

“Lunch,” I say, glancing over my shoulder with a grin.

“Yeah, but where?” she asks.

“Here,” I say, stopping by one of the private tented areas. “Figured you’d prefer something a bit more private given you’re...you know,” I say, eyeing her up and down.

She’s obviously dressed for work, and that means she’s in the hotel uniform. Knowing Sloane, I figured she would hate to be seen enjoying lunch dressed like that. And when her face relaxes into an easy smile, I know I was right.

“Thank you,” she says, squeezing my hand again before she pulls hers free.

I miss her touch immediately, but I don’t reach for her again, instead pulling out one of the chairs for her. Sloane kicks off her shoes and takes a seat, and before I’ve even sat down, one of the servers appears. We both order Cokes and burgers, and then he’s gone, leaving the two of us alone again.

“So, how’s your day been?” I ask.

Sloane laughs, shaking her head. “It’s fine. How was Mochi this morning? Was he okay?”

Now it’s me laughing as I say, “He’s fine. Left him sleeping on my bed, lazy thing.” Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off before she can. “It’s all good, Sloane, it’s his home too.”

She exhales, but she’s chuckling as she says, “Okay.”

“You sleep better having him home?” I now ask.

She nods, her eyes on the ocean as she says, “I actually sleep pretty good at your place anyway, but yeah, it was nice having him there.”

“Our place,” I say, correcting her. She turns to me, rolling her eyes, and I can’t help but laugh. “Just accept it, Sloane.”

“You are impossible,” she mutters.

My grin widens. “Yeah, but you love me anyway,” I say, and almost immediately, her cheeks flush, and I let out another laugh as I continue my teasing. “There’s no shame in it, Sloane. I’m pretty irresistible.”

She shifts in her chair so she’s half turned toward me, a smile on her face as she says, “And oh so humble too.”

“Of course,” I reply.

She chuckles, still watching me as she says, “But you’re right.”

I’m not entirely sure which part she’s agreeing to—the whole loving me part or the part where I’m irresistible. Maybe it’s both? Either way, I don’t care; I’ll take it.

I smile, not responding to or acknowledging her words, even though I am dying to know more. Instead, I say, “I was thinking, maybe we should have a kind of housewarming? You know, celebrate you and Mochi moving in?”

Sloane’s smile falters a little as she says, “But it’s only temporary, right? We don’t have to celebrate that.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” I say, swallowing hard, knowing the last thing I want is for this to be temporary.

“Owen, I can’t?—”

“You can,” I tell her. “It’s a big house, Sloane, and I like having you there. Why look for something else? Unless, of course...” I trail off, wondering if maybe Sloane doesn’t feel as comfortable living with me as I do with her.

“Of course, what?” she asks.

I blow out a breath, turning to look at the ocean. “I don’t know, I guess I hadn’t considered that maybe you don’t want to live with me,” I say with a shrug.

“Owen,” she murmurs before I feel the touch of her hand on my arm. Turning, I find her watching me, a sad smile on her face. “I do like living with you,” she whispers.