Hopeless (Chestnut Springs, #5)

by Elsie Silver

The new Beau sits at the bar with the shy neighbor girl, who wears a pair of acid-wash Levi’s better than anyone he’s ever seen.

I’m sick of people talking to me, but it strikes me that listening to Bailey talk might not be so bad.

Her eyes, that one little word—it . . . makes my blood pump faster. It makes me feel something in a sea of numbness.

One who starts pulling up a stool every Sunday through Tuesday to drink chamomile tea until midnight, so I don’t have to close by myself.

Beau: Willa doesn’t run my show. Cade: You must be new here. Willa runs everyone’s show.

“No chamomile tea. But you look like you could use a pick-me-up.” She slides a glass of Coca-Cola in front of me, not realizing that she’s the pick-me-up.

“If we’re struggling, we’re still in motion, yeah? Heading somewhere better. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.”

“Who the fuck is in my river?” Relief courses through me, and I smile. Sure, the raspy tone is pissed off, all gravel and steel. But it’s the voice I’ve come to associate with safety. And if I had to get caught trespassing naked in a river, I’m glad Beau Eaton is the one to catch me.

“I’ll start leaving the back door unlocked for when you decide you want to find out if I’m a prude or not.”

“But what’s in it for you?” My head tips from side to side as I consider my answer. “A friend. I like her.” “I can tell. And that’s what’s got me worried.”

Beau crosses his arms and gazes away from everyone dramatically. “Why is no one asking me how fast I can run in my new shoes? Being an adult sucks.”

“Fuck it!” His hand rips away from his mouth, like he tore off a piece of tape that was keeping him from talking, and with two long steps, he’s here. In front of me. Cupping my head. Backing me up against the doorframe. And kissing me.

“I know you’re scared of losing control around me.” Her chin tips up as though she’s told me something that will make me back down. Run me off. It doesn’t. “No, I’m scared of you becoming something I can’t live without.”

“New rule, Bailey.” He points at my left hand, slung over the edge of the tub, and then between my legs. “So long as you’re wearing that ring, this pussy is mine.”

By the time we make it home, I’ve realized that I’ll probably give this girl anything she wants. A ring. Sex. Forever.

“If you had let me finish, I’d have told you I couldn’t keep doing it anymore because pretending this thing between us is fake is fucking killing me.”

“I’m done pretending to be head over heels in love with you because I’m legitimately head over heels in love with you. And acting like I’m not tears me up.”

“You’re relentless, you know that?” And I just give her a salute and a wink. Because yeah, I am. No one has ever showed up for Bailey, but she’s about to get the full experience. “No, sugar. When it comes to you, I’m downright hopeless.”

“You’re not used to anyone showing up for you, Bailey. This is what that looks like. I told you I love you. I’ve never loved a woman before. Wasn’t sure I ever would. But now I do. And you and me? We’re a team. You don’t quit on your teammates. You don’t leave a man behind. So now you’re stuck with me. I’m just being patient. Waiting for you to come back.”