“You’re alone after dark.”
He tipped his head over one shoulder, as if weighing my words. “I have a dog.”
I cast a pointed look at Violet. “I’m sure she’s incredible protection.”
Davis shifted her leash into the opposite hand, then tugged the bags from my grip. “Apparently. No one has ever tried to attack me on our evening walks.”
I sighed playfully. “Fine. Let’s go.”
We moved down the lane at a snail’s pace. I wasn’t sure if I was prolonging our inevitable goodbye or avoiding our arrival, when I would definitely invite him inside. I thought again of our kiss, and my confusion returned. Why had he run away that night? The only reasonable explanation was that he didn’t want to become romantically involved. But if that was true, then why volunteer to walk me home?
“How’s everything at the manor?” Davis asked. “Are you staying warm? Not still heating bathwater on the stovetop?”
“No. Things are good. The water isn’t especially hot, but it’s not cold, either, and I can live with that.”
“Very patient of you,” he said, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “The offer stands to help you find another place, if you get tired of this one. No hard feelings.”
“I’m okay,” I said, taking the final steps to my front door. “I appreciate the offer, but I like it here.” I inhaled to steady myself, then braced for rejection. “Do you want to come inside for coffee? Or I could probably drum up some tea and brandy.”
Davis stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked at me from beneath dark lashes. “Coffee sounds nice.”
I nodded, then unlocked the door to let us in.
Violet trotted ahead of us.
I followed her to the kitchen, wondering if Davis would mention our recent kiss or if I should. Maybe that was his reason for accepting my invitation. I winced. What if he planned to apologize again. “I’ll get Violet some water.”
Davis unfastened her leash, then paused to check the thermostat. “Do you mind if I use the restroom? It’s been a very long walk.”
“Help yourself.”
I put on a pot of coffee and set a bowl of water beside the back door.
Violet took a sloppy drink, then collapsed beneath the kitchen table.
Davis returned a few minutes later looking mildly concerned.
“You okay?” I asked.
He nodded. “Just making a mental list of things I need to get done.”
I filled two mugs with coffee and ferried them to the table. “You usually go to the UMass games?” I asked, nodding to his shirt and recalling something he’d said when he’d arrived outside the bookstore.
He glanced down at himself, then back to me. “Yeah.”
“Ever go with Grace?” I asked, taking the seat across from his.
He frowned. “No. Why?”
I considered his response and the strange sensation I couldn’t quite put my finger on, then shrugged.
Davis looked at me, pale-gray eyes flickering over my features.
For a moment, I wondered if he felt the looming awkwardness I did. Or the equally powerful urge to examine the tension further. Preferably with another kiss.
He stood abruptly, chair scraping over the floor.
For a moment I worried I’d said my thoughts aloud. “What’s wrong?”
