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“What exactly did you say to the sheriff?”
Garrett wrapped himself around her as they gazed down at the strained tableau playing out on the driveway.
“I knew your mother dated him, but I didn’t realize he was still so invested. I think the announcement that she was moving caught him off guard.”
Emma frowned. “They’re not seeing each other. They haven’t in years as far as I know. And I think that was his decision.”
Her mother’s behavior during the sheriff’s earliervisits had been too guarded and brittle, so unlike her usual warm and flirty self around a handsome man.
Emma hadn’t needed a blow-by-blow to know that her mother had been badly hurt.
Garrett pulled the curtain wide, perhaps to make it obvious to the pair that they had an audience.
Not that either of them bothered to look up. They were too engrossed in their argument.
“He mentioned something about not being ready to settle down, but I think we can assume there was more to it. Jesse seemed surprised to hear that Mariana was renting this place from Teddy Bronson.”
Emma wrinkled her nose. “Why?”
Garrett paused, squeezing her shoulders. “Have you met Teddy?”
“In person?” Emma thought back. “Once or twice maybe. He came to collect the rent. But my mom usually mails it to him or drops it at his office.”
She knew her mother dated him sometimes too, but Mariana dated a lot of men, never getting serious about any. She flittered between them like a glittery bird, having fun, not letting any of them touch her too deeply.
The sheriff was the sole exception to that rule.
“If Teddy Bronson ever comes around, send him to me,” Garrett said. “Neither you nor Mariana needs to speak to him. In fact, I’d rather you didn’t.”
Emma tilted her head to study him. “Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“Not physically.” Garrett rubbed her shoulders reassuringly. “But he’s a smarmy asshole. There’s no need to expose yourself to that. Either of you.”
“Okay,” she agreed, wondering if their life would always feel this tangled.
“Hey.” Garrett cupped her cheeks in his hands. “I have an idea. I think we should hire a therapist.”
“Like couples therapy?”
“No. All of us. You, me, Stella, and Mariana. Group sessions and separate ones too. In every combination possible.”
She laughed. “Because we’re so messed up?”
Garrett squeezed her to him. “Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t trade us for anything. But there’s a hell of a lot to unpack between each of us. I know in my gut that it’s been too easy with Stella. Her little life has been upended. And even though she seems to be taking it well, we’re going to have issues down the line. It’s inevitable. I just want to get us off on the best footing possible.”
Emma nodded but felt like she had to warn him about Mariana. “I’m not sure how my mother will react to the idea of therapy. She always said that’s what bartenders are for.”
Garrett lifted a shoulder. “Sometimes just talking about your issues is enough. But other times you need more than that. I’ve never been to therapy, but I know enough people who have benefited from going. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Sometimes it’s just a safe space to decompress. I think we could all use that.”
Emma let her head fall on his chest, picturing the hurricane inside her mind all too clearly. “I think you might be right.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad you agree. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to go hide from your mother.”
She laughed. “Because you lured the sheriff here?”
“It’s more like he was sideswiped by something I said and ran over here uninvited to confront her.” He sighed heavily. “She might be mad for a while.”
“She’ll forgive you when she sees her new place.”