I want him to myself a littlewhile longer.
But he steps behind me, and I feel his breath in my hair as he moves to my other side. “Farrow’s going to trail you to your parents’ place,” he murmurs, “and make sure you’re safe. I’ll come home as soon as I can.”
“What’s going on?”
But it’s not an actual question. It’s a beg. A plea for him to talk.
He holds my gaze, but I know after one moment turns into five, he’s not going to tell me.
“Quinn!” Dylan bounces over, grabbing my hands. “I’ve never seen Noah race a car, so we’re gonna do it!” she exclaims. “You riding with him or me?”
I turn away from Lucas, unable to look at him right now.
Dylan starts to pull me away, and I try to latch on to what she said. She and Noah are racing cars instead of bikes? And I’m riding with one of them?
But I don’t have time to react before a grip closes around the inside of my elbow and tugs me back.
We both look at Lucas, and he simply shakes his head at Dylan, telling her I’m not going anywhere.
I don’t know if it’s his silence, his protective hand still on my arm, or the fact that he’s not dictating whether or not she can put herself in danger like he is with me, but I see the moment understanding dawns in her eyes. Her storm blue orbs widen and her lips part.
“Oh my God,” she breathes out, beaming at me. “Are you serious?”
“Dylan, go sit down,” Lucas bites under his breath.
But she damn-near laughs. “Oh, I’m not a kid anymore, so you shut up.”
She throws her arms around me, and I go rigid, worried that one of my brothers nearby will ask what’s going on.
But after a moment, it all melts away. I hug her back, my chest tightening in a way that makes me break out in goosebumps.
“Was it good?” she asks in my ear.
“Yeah.”
Amazing, actually.
I’m trying to hold back my relief so hard I’m shaking. I didn’t realize how exhausting the secret had been. Hiding the looks, the conversations, the attraction… But still, I say, “Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“I’m telling Aro.” Pulling back, she hoods her gaze. “You can tell my dad.”
She whirls around and skips back to her boyfriend, leaving me with that horrific thought.Yeah, fat chance.
Lucas releases my arm, but I don’t turn. “Are you really still leaving Shelburne Falls?”
If he thinks he’s going to try, I might not be able to keep my tone in check. So much so that not only will Jared know how far we’ve gone, but everyone in Shelburne Falls will too.
But Madoc’s voice interrupts us. “Lucas!” he calls.
He steps over. “This is Vanessa Black, a graduate of the University of Chicago.” He gestures to the black-haired young woman behind him. “She interns with Barton & Haynes while she pursues her Ph.D.”
So? Why should Lucas care about that?
Does he think Lucas will stay and go back to work for Fallon’s and his former company?
“Nice to meet you.” Lucas reaches for her hand, shaking it. “What’s your specialty—commercial, residential…”
“Whatever work they’ll give me,” she teases, “but I am particularly drawn to conservation.”
