“I’m just glad everyone was right about you.”

He cocked his head and looked at her. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Oh, well, back when I just thought you had glowing red eyes, I may have asked the Blacks what they thought about you because I was terrified, but they all told me I shouldn’t be scared of you.”

“Well, that’s reassuring, I guess.”

She unbuckled and moved to get out of the car. “Oh, do you know Bridget?”

“Bridget? Is she the Scottish woman with the long red hair I see around town sometimes?”

Sunny nodded. “That’s her. If it’s okay, I’ll have her stop by. If anyone can make you an elixir, it’s her. And she won’t even make you give her awful moonshine.”

“Okay, thanks. That would be helpful.”

“Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you around.”

She got her purse and opened the door . . . only to shut it again and slowly look at him.

“What is it?”

“Did you watch me and Asher?”

His head snapped over to her as he sputtered.

“I remember that night when I was closing the bar. Asher and I were . . . Well, you know, since you watched . . .”

“No! No, no. I mean . . . Yes, I did see you guys. But you have to believe me. I was just as shocked to see you as you were to see me. I was stopping by to see if Dusty had any more moonshine. I left as soon as I saw you guys. I didn’t watch.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Sunny. I mean it. I would never knowingly watch that. I swear to you. And I didn’t really see anything. I couldn’t even see you, just Asher.”

She wanted to believe him and had no reason not to, but there was something about it that just filled her with such mortification.

“Well . . . that’s embarrassing.”

When she finally glanced back at him, his cheeks were red, and he looked just as flustered as she felt.

“On that note, I’m going to leave, and we’ll never talk about that again.”

“Agreed. If you need any help with your car tomorrow, just let me know. I’ll be available after my last lesson.”

“I appreciate that, but I think Asher can help me. He’s good with cars.”

“Okay, well, I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, and I won’t be scared of you anymore.”

“I’m so glad.”

When he pulled away, only then did she notice a shirt next to the front step.

She walked down and picked it up while she scanned her yard. Then she saw a boot and, a few yards away, another boot, and there, at the tree line, were Asher’s jeans.

Her heart dropped. She wasn’t sure why, but she got the feeling something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Chapter