“I like that,” he murmured.
I let it land, flips, flops, and skitters tumbling through me. Then my phone clicked with an incoming message. I opened it. Sean had sent a photo: the bright orange barrette in his open suitcase, among t-shirts, socks and boxer briefs.
I burst out laughing. “Youtravelwith that? I didn’t even know I lost it.”
His chuckle rolled low and warm through the line. “It slipped while you were busy kissing me, making those little sounds in my mouth. Couldn’t let it get away.”
Heat flooded my neck. “So, you stole it.”
“Rescued it,” he corrected smoothly.
“And you thought it would make a great travel companion.”
“Best one I’ve had,” he said without missing a beat. Then added, “but I don’t remember putting it in there. I opened my bag and nearly went blind from the orange thing.”
“Yeah, it smuggled itself into Dallas. You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe. I guess even your hair accessories are stubborn,” he allowed.
I laughed. “Figures. That’s how you know it’s mine.” I zoomed in on the photo. “And it’s next to your boxers?”
“That’s sacred territory,” he said, amused. “Besides, now we’re even—one to one in the underwear exposure race.”
“Wait a minute. You’re keeping score?”
“Of course,” he said smugly. “Yours somersaulted across the garage floor, mine’s packed, traveling with a barrette.”
I threw my head back, catching my breath after another laugh.
“The barrette’s practically family now,” he added. “This little flash of orange daring me to smile every time I open my bag.”
My grin stretched wide. “You’re such a keepsake thief.”
“Souvenir,” he countered easily, “and only of things that matter.”
I was appreciatively looking at how he organized his bag, when he cleared his throat.
“I’ve got a favor to ask, but I don’t want it to feel like too much. With everything going on, it slipped my mind.”
“Yeah?”
“Cassy,” he said. “Jeff’s flying in tomorrow. He and Abby want to spend the weekend at the coast. Normally, I’d find a sitter, but the idea of strangers at my house for an entire weekend when I’m not there… Would you please help?”
My heart tugged. He was trusting me with his house and his niece for an entire weekend.
I swallowed. “I’m actually not working tomorrow to send Sam off. That’ll work.”
“Cutie… I owe you big time.” His voice went grave and warm.
Cutie.He’d called me that a few times now. I was still smiling when I opened the front door to our house.
“There you are, Melanie Grace Boyd!”
My mom’s voice cut through that warmth like a cold blade making me flinch. I stopped cold in my tracks. She stood in the living room like she’d been planted there for hours: arms crossed, righteous fury loaded.
“Hold that thought. Nature calls first,” I said and slid down the hall to the bathroom.
Pee time was nonnegotiable, and it gave me a minute to brace for what was coming.
