Page 70 of The Persistence of Thornes
“My brothers want to stay the night with Cynthia and Thelma. They’re getting baking lessons.”
His laugh is loud in the small space. He rubs at his mouth to try to stifle the sound, but it’s no use.
“I never in a million years would’ve guessed they’d become friends with two old ladies. Or that they’d be interested in learning to bake,” I go on. “Especially not after Thelma cornered us in the grocery store the day we met her.”
Caleb clears his throat, probably trying to swallow back more laughter. “I think it’s because they’re kindred spirits.”
A smile twitches at my lips. “You have a point there.”
It doesn’t hit me until we’re in the driveway that this means Caleb and I will be alone in his house.
Does he expect?—
I stop that thought before it can gain any traction. If I know anything about this man, it’s that I can trust him with my boundaries. In fact, I bet if I made a move, he’d stop me. That’s just who he is.
He leaves the car idling and undoes his seat belt, shifting my way. “I enjoyed tonight.”
I hold my breath, waiting for thebut. When it doesn’t come, I exhale in a gust.
“I did too,” I finally say. Dancing was more fun than I expected, and the dinner was delicious. “This is kind of weird, right?” I whisper, smoothing my hands down the material of the dress. “Going on a date and coming back to the same place?”
He shrugs. “Doesn’t have to be.”
Right.
My stomach twists.I’mthe one making it weird.
“I could walk you to the door and leave and come back, if that makes you feel better.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, along with some of the tension in my muscles. “No need. I’m okay.”
“Come on, then.” He kills the engine and pushes his door open.
Before I can slip my shoes on again—of course I took them off; as fun as dancing was, it did a number on my feet—he’s at my door, holding out a hand.
I accept the help, even if I don’t need it, wishing the night didn’t have to end.
Worried that when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll discover this was all a dream. A tease of what my life could be.
Caleb shuts the door and hits the lock button on his key fob, causing the SUV to let out a small honk.
“Don’t look now,” he whispers, lips grazing my ear. “But we have an audience.”
Without thinking, I dart a look across the street. Sure enough, Cynthia, Thelma, and both my brothers sit out front, partially illuminated by the porch light.
I lift my hand in an awkward wave and let it drop.
“It’s not just them,” he warns. “Salem and Thayer are out too. With Laith.”
“Oh, God.”
If I wanted to bury my head in the sand before, the uncertain sensation has nothing on the mortification washing over me now.
Caleb pauses to unlock the front door, so I take the opportunity to peer over my shoulder. Like they’ve been waiting for me to look over, Laith salutes us and Salem claps giddily. Thayer shakes his head like he’s embarrassed. Maybe for them, or maybe for us. I can’t be sure.
Hand on my waist, Caleb ushers me inside. “Sorry about them.”
“Small towns are so weird,” I admit, face flaming.
