Page 38 of Chasing Shelter

“What if there’s a Sasquatch roaming the streets? You could get kidnapped and taken off to a cave in the mountains,” Lolli warned.

“Is that a big concern around here?” I asked, amusement lacing my words.

“Well, you never know,” Lolli defended.

Trace stood. “Come on, Blaze. Let me walk you home.”

Something about the kind offer paired with seeing him at his full height again, his broad shoulders on display, had my mouth going dry. “All right.”

I turned and started for the door so I didn’t have to be confronted with all that was Trace. “Good night, guys,” I called with a wave to Keely and Lolli.

“‘Night!” they called back.

I stepped outside, letting the cool night air wrap around me. I tipped my head back, taking in the night sky as I waited for Trace. I felt him before I saw him, his heat bleeding into the air between us. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing this many stars.”

“Don’t get the same view in New York, huh?”

I shook my head. “Too much ambient light. I could see them better at our place in the Hamptons, but it had nothing on this.” It was like I could make out the actual shape of each and every star.

“It is quite a show. Good reminder to appreciate it.”

I looked over at Trace then. It was a stupid move because Trace bathed in moonlight was even more stunning. I ripped my gaze away and started walking. I needed to get a grip.

Trace caught up to me in two long strides. “Thanks for offering to help Keely with wacky hair day.”

“It’s just as fun for me as it is for her.”

He made a sound in the back of his throat that wasn’t agreement or disagreement.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Just did.”

I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at him. “What’s the situation with Keely’s mom?”

I knew she was in the picture and that Keely spent about half the time with her, but that was it. And I couldn’t help but wonder why Keely wasn’t askingherto help with wacky hair day.

Trace didn’t speak right away, and I felt the tension coming off him in waves. But he seemed to read exactly why I was asking. “Wacky hair day isn’t really her thing.”

That was fair. I loved playing with hair and makeup, but my friend, Sarah, had zero interest. She dyed her hair turquoise and called it a day. We all expressed ourselves differently. But if I had a kid as amazing as Keely, I’d make an effort to be interested in whatshewas interested in. I could tell Trace tried in that arena, at least if Keely’s braids the other day were anything to go by.

I wanted to ask a million other questions, but none of them were my business, and Trace’s silence was a deafening siren. I realized I’d entered a no-fly zone, so I let the quiet reign and found it wasn’t uncomfortable.

When we reached my porch’s bottom step, I turned to Trace. “Thanks again for dinner.”

“It was no big deal.”

“Maybe not to you, but it was to me.” I wasn’t about to let him erase the kindness he’d shown me.

Trace’s throat worked as he swallowed. “You’d better get inside.”

“Not good with gratitude or disorganized dishwashers. Noted,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.

Trace shook his head. “Your plastics will thank me.”

“I certainly don’t need to be replacing another appliance anytime soon.”

“No, you don’t, Blaze.”

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