“Because that was beautiful.”
My daughter smiles—hope swelling in her eyes. “I can sing it to you again when we go to bed.”
My heart can’t take this sweet torture, but I nod tightly. “I would love that.”
“Speaking of which,” Amber says, glancing at the clock on her phone, “it’s well past their bedtime.”
“Oh.” I blink away the last of my tears. “Let’s get you girls tucked in.”
True to her word, Delta sings 'Blackbird' again once they’re in bed, and Loretta is out by the second round. My sister settles into the adjoining room, but there’s one last thing I need to do before I turn in for the night.
I sneak out and head for the main floor with feather-light footsteps. When I get to Jonah's room, the door is ajar, and warm lamplight spills out. I knock softly and he’s there, changed from his rugby clothes to just a pair of pajama pants.
Part of me expects a smug reaction—like he knew I’d be here—but that’s not what I find on his handsome, boyish face. It’s concern.
“Is everything all right?”
“It’s fine.” I take a deep breath to keep from fidgeting. “I just wanted to say thank you for letting us stay here.”
He leans against his door frame. “It’s no problem at all.”
“It’s... kind of... hard for me to accept help sometimes. Or, most of the time. So... thank you. Again.”
“There’s no need to thank me. All I wanted was to make sure you were all safe.”
The moment lingers too long, and I pray he can’t hear the way my heart hammers. His blue eyes are dark, just as I remember them from the night at the club, and I’m hyper-aware of the flare of his nostrils and just how full his lips are. And he’s so tall and he’s so here and I want to push him against a wall and kiss him for being so nice to my girls and for having this ridiculous body that would look so good kneeling for me.
But I push all of that aside and choose the next most vulnerable thing to say. “You’re not who I expected you to be.”
“I’m trying to be something better.” His tone is steady and sure before he leans in close, so close that his body heat warms my face. “And someday, I’m gonna be worthy of you.”
I’m flushed, and my heartbeat throbs between my legs. “You shouldn’t wait for me.”
“As much as I love it when you tell me what to do Professor, I’m not accepting that.”
My throat tightens on a contradictory response, and I mentally kick myself for not replying faster—for not shutting this down with finality.
That’s when he steps back into his room, one hand on the door, and a slow, knowing smile grows on his face. “Goodnight, Renée.”
And he closes the door.
1. Blackbird by Delta Rae
Chapter 15
Nature Study
Renée
I’m an early riser; I always have been. Before the first crack of sunlight breaks over the world, I’m usually up and ready.
While Amber and the girls sleep for a while longer, I check on my house and garden for any damage last night’s storm may have caused. But as soon as I step out of our guest room, the tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee guides me to the kitchen. A full pot waits next to a couple of clean, mismatched mugs and a note written on the back of a piece of mail.
Good morning! Help yourself to coffee. I’m checking on the animals.
On the bottom of the note he drew a little sun with a smiley face next to a cup of coffee with tiny heat squiggles. It’s poorly drawn, but what he lacks in artistic skill, he makes up for in charm. I’ll give him that.
Coffee in hand, I step outside to a dark, muggy morning. It’s still unbearably hot even at this hour, and I’m thankful once again for Jonah’s generosity. We would have sweltered in our house if we had stayed.
