Page 116 of Really Truly Yours

A ginormous crack of lightning and ensuing thunder boom rattle the house, conjuring images of a certain tree puncturing a certain roof not so long ago.

“Wait.”

I swivel, hand on the tarnished knob.

Her hair, wild from the wind, slides along her shoulder. “You can stay a minute.”

I choose to take her concession as my life mattering to her. I flash a sideways grin. “May I sit?”

Her arms snap into a fold. “I suppose.”

My hip pocket buzzes and I dig my phone out. “Tornado warning.” I skim pertinent details. “Northern part of the county. Looks like we’re not in the path, but I guess we better hunker down just to be safe.” I sly-wink for effect.

She dismisses my folly with an eyeroll.

“First, though...” I point finger guns toward the hall. “Little boys’ room?”

I lay my phone on the coffee table and she shoos me out of her sight.

The matchbox bathroom might as well be an airplane lavatory for all the mobility it affords. I know I’ve done this before, but I reach up and, yep, easily flatten my palm on the outmoded popcorn ceiling.

I return to the living room, my hands smelling like some sweet-scented nonsense from the soap dispenser. Sydnee scoots away from the end of the coffee table where her laptop and my phone, its screen darkening as I approach, are perched. I’ll check who’s hunting me down later.

She gnaws a fingernail.

I lower myself to the sofa and pat the adjacent cushion. “Take a load off, Sydnee Lou.”

She does—on the easy chair across the room. She hugs a lacy throw pillow onto her lap.

Somewhere along the drive home, the evening took a wrong turn. I lean my elbows onto my slacks and volley a version of her earlier sentiment back at her. “I had an awesome time tonight.”

Her guard falls enough for a stiff smile.

I stretch my arms out, settling into the cushions like I’m enjoying a great game on television. “Do I scare you, Sydnee?”

“Don’t be absurd.”

There’s more than one kind of fear. “So, you’re this way with all your boyfriends?”

She stiffens. “What way?”

I cover a quick cough.

“And what do you mean all my boyfriends?”

“All. Any. Some.” I lift one eyebrow. “Just me?”

Her arms cradle the pillow. “For your information, I don’t date often.”

“You don’t say.” My cheek spasms.

Another thunderous crack suggests peeking at a weather app might be in order, but I’m busy here. Besides, the thunder in Sydnee’s glare puts the one outside in its place.

Her slim finger toys with the lace edging the pillow. “It’s a choice I’ve made.”

“Uh-huh.” I nod solemnly.

“I’m…careful.”

---