Page 14 of Puck Drop
Maybe I made a huge mistake.
FIVE
Logan
The driveto my house is not long, but it sure is tense. Elizabeth seems apprehensive, and every time I look at her, she gives me this worried smile that I really don’t like. She wasn’t like this when I first caught up with her in the parking lot at the pub, but after that kiss, it’s like a switch got flipped.
Truth is, I am nervous as well. I don’t feel like myself. I told her to come with me because I didn’t want to risk anyone seeing us like that in the parking lot. I’ve had enough of being found out in public to last me a lifetime.
With all these thoughts swirling through my mind, I almost miss the turn to the subdivision I live in. My house is in a cul-de-sac, right at the end, a little tucked away from everyone else, just the perfect location.
“This is it?” Elizabeth asks when I park in the driveway.
I take a moment to stare at her delicate profile. She looks even more beautiful than I was remembering from before. She turns her head to look at me when I take too long to answer.
“Home, sweet home,” I confirm. I pop the door open, ready to exit the truck. “I’ll give you the tour.”
I rush around to her side, grinning from ear to ear when I find her waiting for me to open her door, sitting there like the princess that she is. With a flourish, I pull on the handle and open the door all the way, only to find her looking terrified.
“What’s wrong?” I try to glance around her, but I don’t see what could be distressing her in such a way.
“Nothing,” she mumbles. “I think.”
She turns sideways in the seat and allows me to help her down, with her hands clenching into my shirt for a brief moment before I have her standing on the hard surface of the driveway.
“This is really nice, Logan,” she tells me when we walk to the front door. My fingers fly over the keypad where I enter the code that unlocks it, allowing us to walk in. When I hear the click signaling just that, I push the door open, then press a gentle hand to Elizabeth’s back, propelling her forward.
She takes a few steps before stopping, never passing the foyer. I follow suit, and the door clicks closed behind me. The sound echoes all around us. Her shoulders seem tense now while her hands are balled into tight fists. She stares around for a while before turning to look at me.
“I’m ready to talk.”
Her voice is small, almost a whisper. I furrow my brow at her anxious expression, especially when she bites her lower lip, her eyes darting around the room.
“Elizabeth, it’s not what I think you’re thinking,” I chuckle. “I think.”
I take a step closer and force a reassuring smile, feeding off her nervous energy. I place a comforting hand on her arm.
“Let’s sit down.”
I take her hand into mine and lead us both toward the large living room. She squeezes my hand back, but it’s more like a nervous tic rather than because she’s feeling me.
“I’m sorry for being so jumpy,” she says when we stop in front of the couch.
I shake my head. “No need to apologize. I’m all over the place.”
A smile forms on her lush lips. “You and me both.”
“I messed up back at the pub,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice as soft as possible. The smile dies on her lips.
She nods, glancing around once again. “I put you on the spot. I get it.”
Without another word, I guide her to sit down on the couch. She perches on the edge, still holding onto my hand as if it’s a lifeline. I drop beside her, our knees almost touching.
“I think I gave you the wrong impression,” I say softly, trying to catch her gaze. She avoids me for a few seconds, but when her eyes finally meet mine, I can see the turmoil brewing within them.
“I really wanted to surprise you,” she repeats what she told me before. “And I feel like it backfired. I wasn’t prepared for everyone to notice us talking. And I thought you’d be really happy to see me.”
She sighs and looks away, then brings her eyes back to mine.
