Page 28 of Not For Keeps
“She’s easy to be around,” I manage.
He nods. “I’ve known Analyse for a long time. She’s a good woman that’s dealt with a lot. I’m glad you both found something in one another.”
I don’t know what to say to that. Because I know he means every word. And I can’t help the guilt that gnaws at me from this lie we’ve built. Cap’s looking at me like I deserve her. Like I’ve finally found something good, and solid, and lasting. But he doesn’t know that this is all a lie that started as a favor. And I hope this won’t blow up in my face one he finds out.
Before I can say anything, she walks in with a stack of plates and that teasing smile of hers. “Talking about me?” she asks, smiling sweetly.
“Always,” I shoot back.
“Hopefully all good things.”
“I could never say a bad thing about you, chula,” I say, giving her a wink.
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the corner of her mouth twitching like she’s trying not to smile.
Cap watches us for a beat then steps closer, claps a hand on my shoulders, and says, “Good man,” before heading out of the room.
The ride home is quiet. Maya’s passed out in the back seat, head tilted at an impossible angle, clutching a Tupperware of Anna’s dessert. One of her curls is stuck to her forehead.
“She’s going to crash so hard when we get home,” Analyse whispers from the passenger seat.
I chuckle. “She already did.”
We both glance back at the same time then look at each other and share a quiet laugh. It feels easy with Analyse. Comfortable.
I pull into the driveway and kill the engine. The porch light is still on, casting a warm golden halo over the front steps.
Maya stirs in the backseat, and I step out of my car, walk over to her side, and unbuckle her. I lift her into my arms, her head immediately dropping to my shoulder with a sleepy sigh.
“I told you I get the shower first,” she mumbles against my neck.
I smile. “I think you’ve earned it.”
Analyse is already at the door by the time I reach the porch. She opens it quietly, steps inside to flick on the hallway light, and then turns back, watching me with something soft in her eyes.
I carry Maya through the door and gently lay her on the couch, pulling a throw blanket over her. She doesn’t even stir. Just turns on her side and hugs the nearestpillow.
“She’ll probably be out until the morning,” Analyse whispers.
“Probably.”
Analyse turns to me. “Tonight was a great night. Really.”
I glance at her. “It was.”
She leans against the doorframe, arms folded loosely in front of her. “You want water or something before you go?”
I shake my head. “Nah. I should let you get some sleep.”
She nods but doesn’t move. Neither do I. A curl slips free from the clip in her hair, falling into her face. Without thinking, I reach out and gently brush it back, tucking it behind her ear. My knuckles graze her skin, and she stills beneath my touch. Her eyes flick up to mine.
She doesn’t smile. She doesn’t say anything. But she doesn’t move either. I let my hand drop.
“It was nice seeing you in your element,” she says quietly.
I glance over at her. “You see me at the firehouse all the time.”
“Yeah…but not like this.”
