“I know.” She doesn’t move her hand. If anything, her thumb strokes higher. “You started it.”
“Pretty sure you started it. In the greenhouse.”
“Details.” But she’s smiling.
I walk her to the door because that’s what you do. The porch light is on. The curtain twitches—Eileen, keeping watch.
“Grandma’s watching,” Cara says.
“I know.”
“She’s probably thrilled. This is exactly what she wanted when she ‘needed help’ and guilt-tripped me into coming back.”
“You think she planned this?”
“I think Eileen Donovan has never done anything without a plan in her entire life.” Cara shakes her head, but she’s smiling. “She’s been not-so-subtly asking about all three of you since I got here.”
“Smart woman.”
“Manipulative woman.”
“Same thing, sometimes.”
She laughs, and the sound warms me from the inside out.
We stand there, breath fogging in the cold air. Her cheeks are pink from the temperature, her eyes bright. She looks happy. Actually, genuinely happy.
I did that. I made her happy.
“Thank you,” she says. “For today. For the greenhouse and the risotto and just... being you.”
“Thank you for letting me.” I cup her face in my hands, feeling the cold of her cheeks, the warmth of her breath. “Same time tomorrow?”
“Are you asking me on another date?”
“I’m asking for what I want.” I grin. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to be doing?”
“It’s exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.” She rises on her toes and kisses me. Soft. Sweet. Full of promise. “Yes. Same time tomorrow.”
“I’ll bring plants.”
“I have no idea what to do with plants.”
“I’ll teach you. Everyone should know how to keep something alive.”
She laughs against my mouth. “Goodnight, Theo.”
“Goodnight, Cara.”
I watch her go inside. Wave at Eileen’s silhouette in the window—pretending I can’t see her seems rude. Then I get in my truck and drive home with her scent still clinging to my clothes and her taste still on my lips.
The snow falls heavier now, coating the roads in white. I drive slowly, carefully, thinking about everything and nothing.
My phone buzzes when I’m halfway there.
Lucas:How did it go?
I pull over to answer. Safety first.
