CHAPTER 27
Grace
Grace pushedthrough the school's front doors. The autumn sun hit her face, and she paused on the top step to adjust her bag on her shoulder.
Luke leaned against his cruiser parked directly in front of the school. Arms crossed. Waiting.
Mrs. Ellery emerged behind Grace, keys jingling. "Oh," she said, following Grace's gaze. "Is that Officer Bennett again?"
Grace's throat felt tight. "Yes."
"That's nice of him," Mrs. Ellery said warmly. "Keeping an eye on you after last night."
Grace nodded, not trusting her voice.
Mrs. Ellery squeezed her arm gently. "You have a good evening, dear. Call if you need anything."
"Thank you," Grace managed.
She descended the steps slowly, deliberately, keeping her expression neutral even as her pulse kicked up.
Luke straightened when he saw her. His eyes tracked her movement, like she was the only thing that mattered in his field of vision.
"Hey," he said when she reached him.
"Hey."
He opened the passenger door without ceremony. "How was your day?"
The question was so ordinary, so domestic, that it made something twist painfully in her chest.
“Good,” Grace said, climbing in. "Long."
Luke closed the door and rounded the vehicle. When he slid into the driver's seat, the space suddenly felt smaller. More intimate.
He smelled like the soap from his bathroom. It was a scent that Grace had smelled on herself all day.
Grace stared straight ahead as he started the engine.
They pulled away from the curb, and Grace watched the school disappear in the side mirror.
Luke Bennett picking up Grace Hart.
In broad daylight.
"You don't have to do this every day," Grace said finally.
"Yes, I do."
She glanced at him. His jaw was set, hands steady on the wheel, eyes on the road.
Grace looked back out the window. They passed Sugar & Spice, the hardware store, the little park where she took her students for nature walks.
Normal. Everything looked so normal.
They were quiet for long enough that when Luke spoke, it startled her.
His voice was steady, and she could hear the determination. "I should've done this from the start. But I'm doing it now. Even if it is too late.” He slanted a look her way before his attention was back on the road. “I hope it’s not.”
