She hesitates, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Her eyes go soft a second later, and a smile tugs at that perfect mouth of hers. I spoke the words out loud and was nervous for a millisecond, judging by her face, I have nothing to worry about.
“Is the pizza place still open?” she asks, tilting her head.
“Girolamo’s? Why yes, it is. Is that a yes?”
“Sure. But if they’re out of pepperoni, it’s on you.”
“Deal,” I laugh. “Why don’t we both go in and shower, then meet back here?”
“Perfect.” She smiles.
I want to lean into her and kiss her softly, but I know that if I do that right now, I won’t want to stop.
An hour later, the drive into town is quiet. I’ve got one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the console between us.
I’m surprised she let me drive again, but I like that she does. It seems that she’s starting to trust me more than she did when she first arrived.
She’s half-watching the scenery blur by and keeps glancing over at me like she’s about to say something but keeps deciding against it.
“You’re awfully quiet,” I finally say, breaking the silence.
“Just enjoying the peace. You’ve been known to talk a lot, you know.”
I snort. “And here I was thinking you liked my sparkling conversation.”
“Oh, I do,” she replies smoothly.
She leans back against the seat, resting her head back and closing her eyes. I don’t say anything else.
“Why are you so quiet?” she giggles a few minutes later.
“I like seeing you relax for once.”
She rolls her eyes, but there’s no heat behind it.
“You had me pretty relaxed last night,” she murmurs as she looks out the window.
I chuckle, reaching over and lacing our fingers together. She looks back at me in shock.
“Didn’t figure you for someone who liked to hold hands,” she whispers, repeating the words she said to me that night in Texas.
“I’m full of surprises.” I smile back at her, lifting her hand up to my mouth and pressing my lips to her skin.
I can feel her gasp. My eyes flit to hers, and I see the tears there.
“Wade,” she breathes. “I can’t, I don’t…I’m not…I’m not used to that.”
“You’ll get used to it,” I tell her with a grin.
She doesn’t reply, just chews on her lip nervously. I’m really hoping that when she figures out what’s going on with our cattle, and fixes the issue, that she doesn’t return to Billings. I’m hopeful that she’s made enough progress with her dad, and that she sees she’s loved and welcomed here, that she won’t leave again.
I want her to stay in Hicks Creek, forever. It’s our first date, technically, but I already know that I want to be in a relationship with her.
I’ll just have to make sure she sees that I’m serious and that she belongs in Hicks Creek with me.
When we get to the restaurant, I tug on her hand and gesture for her to sit still, and she listens. I hop out of the truck, cross around the back, and open her door. I move so that I’m walking to the outside, nearest the traffic. I see her glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
“Jeez, it’s exactly as I remember it,” she murmurs when we walk inside. “Nothing has changed.”
