Page 9 of Come Back to Me

Maybe Nettie is right and buying the cabin with Leo is a risk. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take. If it means accomplishing this dream, it’s worth it.

Even if it results in a broken heart at the end of summer.

CHAPTER 5

Leo

It’s a few minutes before 6:00 when I pull up in front of Giana’s house. Uncle Jim, Pete’s dad, let me borrow his car for the night. Even though I was vague about my intentions with it, I have a feeling Uncle Jim knows it’s for a date.

Giana opens the door just as I’m about to knock.

“Hey, Leo.”

She hurries outside, joining me on the front porch. Closing the door behind her, she leans her back against it.

“Ready?” It’s a dumb question. She’s a knockout in a red and white polka dot blouse, a short skirt, and lips so red they remind me of a lollipop. And boy, do I want a taste. “You…you look absolutely stunning,” I say, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck.

She smiles, and her brown eyes sparkle. Her freckles dancing across her nose seem to sparkle too.

“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

The compliment heats my skin.

“Should I come in and meet your parents?”

“Nah, they’re busy. Next time.” She hooks her arm in mine and yanks me down the porch steps.

I rush to the passenger door and tug it open for her before she can reach it first. Something tells me this girl is used to being independent. But if my mama knew I was acting like anything less than a gentleman, she’d never let me hear the end of it. Southerners are known for their manners.

“So, where’re we going?” Giana asks after I’ve rounded the front of the Impala and slid into the driver’s seat.

“The Steakhouse. You’ve ever been there?”

She shakes her head. “It’s the most expensive restaurant in town.”

“Then it better be good.” I flash her a grin when I feel her staring at me.

It doesn’t take long to reach the restaurant. Maple Ridge is a small town. There’s one strip of road that’s considered downtown, which is part of the highway, bringing more traffic through than necessary. But with all the homes dispersed around town, it’s bigger than it seems.

When I park the car along the curb and turn the key in the ignition, Giana touches my arm.

“Let’s go somewhere else.”

I pinch my brows together. “What? Why?”

She exhales through her nose. “Leo, in case you haven’t noticed by now, I’m not some fancy girl. I don’t need expensive restaurants. I don’twantexpensive restaurants.”

“I just thought…this would be…uh nice.” I fumble over my words.

“The thought was nice,” she attempts to assure me.

“But—”

She grazes her fingers down my arm until they reach my hand, and she gives it a squeeze. “I want to take you somewhere.”

Her deep-brown eyes hypnotize me, drawing me in and causing me to agree with a nod. If she continues to look at me like this, I fear I’ll concede to anything she wants.

“It’s close. We can walk from here.” She opens the car door, confirming my earlier suspicions.

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