Page 46

“About what?”
“About you being good with people.” He pats my hand. “Thank you, dear. For the food, and... for listening.”
“I’ll come back tomorrow.” I offer. “Maybe you can tell me about the time Luke got his head stuck in the stair railings?”
He actually chuckles. “Oh, he’ll hate that.”
On the drive home, I call Luke.
“How is he?” he asks immediately.
“Better than this morning. We had breakfast and lunch. He told me stories about your mom.”
There’s a long pause. “He talked about Mom?”
“A lot, actually. I hope that’s okay?”
“It’s—yeah. It’s more than okay.” His voice is rough. “That’s the first he’s talked about her since—Thank you, Lila. Seriously.”
“Of course.” I hesitate. “I’m going back tomorrow. He promised to show me your embarrassing childhood photos.”
His laugh makes my heart flip. “Of course he did. I’d better warn you, though—I was an incredibly cute kid.”
“I’m sure you were.”
Another pause, heavier this time. “Lila...”
“I should go,” I say quickly. “Traffic is picking up.”
“Right. Thanks again. For everything.”
I end the call and try to ignore the way my hands are shaking. Because this—caring for his father, hearing stories about his childhood, feeling this deep pull to help heal his family’s grief—is dangerous territory for ‘justfriends.’
But as I think about Jim Sterling’s sad eyes lighting up as he talked about his wife, I know I couldn’t have done anything else.
Some things are worth the risk of getting your heart broken.
The morning air is crisp, perfect for sitting outside. It takes some gentle persuasion, but Mr. Sterling finally agrees to join me in the garden.
“Sarah loved this swing,” he says as we settle among the blooming roses. “Said she could solve any problem with enough time sitting in her garden.”
I hand him his coffee—prepared exactly as Marie instructed. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“She’d be happy to see the roses still blooming.” He traces a finger along the swing’s chain. “Not so happy about other things, though.”
“What do you mean?”
He sighs heavily. “The company. Sterling Motors and the mess I’ve made of things.” His eyes grow distant. “Sarah alwayssaid I was too trusting. Should’ve listened to her about Marcus Davidson.”
My breath catches, remembering that overheard conversation at the dinner party. About once it goes down, Marcus and his investors will swoop in and take over. Sterling Motors is Luke’s father’s company. I should have guessed.
“When Sarah got sick...” Mr. Sterling’s voice roughens. “The medical bills, the experimental treatments... I’d have sold my soul to save her. Instead, I gave up some of my stock—to Marcus. I also took out a loan I knew would be hard to repay.”
“Mr. Sterling, you don’t have to—“
“And now Luke’s paying for my mistakes.” His hands tighten around his coffee cup. “That’s the real reason he’s with that girl, Crystal, you know. Because Marcus has me—has the company—by the throat, and Luke...” He shakes his head. “It’s not just about the money—My boy’s trying to protect what’s left of the company and the employees. Some of them have been with us for years—they need their retirement.”
My heart aches. “I’m sure Luke doesn’t blame you.”