She doesn’t snap, though. Just bounces her knee like she’s trying to shake something off while picking at her thumbnail. Her eyes are glued to the window. She looks a million miles away.
“Honestly? Not really,” she says quietly. “This was a nice break from reality.”
I sigh, mentally kicking myself. “Aye, I get that. I’m sure you’ll be back soon enough. Just say the word, and I’ll find some trouble for us to get into. Intentionaltrouble, mind you.”
She lets out a small laugh, and I swear, it’s like someone just took a giant weight off my shoulders. Seeing her all…sad? Yeah, no. It’s unsettling. It’s like watching a puppy get its tail stepped on. Just wrong on every level.
“Intentional trouble?” she asks, a hint of curiosity in her tone. “Is that a Callan specialty?”
“Only on the weekends.”
She raises an eyebrow, a little playfulness creeping in. “I might just take you up on that.”
I blink, surprised at how much that catches me off guard. She actually looks like she’s considering it.
I clear my throat. “So, uh, where are you staying when you get home?”
I catch the smirk she’s trying to hide out of the corner of my eye. “Worried about me?”
“Actually,” I admit without hesitation, “I am.”
She meets my gaze. “I’ll be okay, Callan. I’ve been staying with my parents for a while. I’m going to start looking at places in the next couple weeks.”
I nod slowly, but it’s not enough.
“Still,” I murmur, “you don’t have to play it all cool with me. Doesn’t hurt to make sure you’re actuallysafe, aye?”
Her shoulders tense, her fingers toying with the seam of her jeans like they’re suddenly fascinating. “I know,” she says, quieter this time. “But I’ll be fine. I’ve got it figured out.”
I want to call her on it. Tell her she’s allowed to not be strong for five bloody minutes, but her guard’s inching higher.
So I pull back. “All right,” I say with a small nod. “Just…if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
She gives me a small smile, lips curving just right. “I know, Callan.”
“Good,” I say, keeping my voice casual. “But seriously, don’t go getting into trouble without me.”
There’s a challenge in her eyes. “That’s a promise I might hold you to.”
We keep the conversation light, but in the back of my mind, I’m counting down the minutes. Every damn second with her has been better than the last, and this ride to the airport feels way too damn short.
I shift the truck into park, kill the engine, and hop out before she can reach for the door. It’s not like I need to, but there’s this pull, this need to help her down, to hold her hand in mine one more time.
“Thank you, kind sir,” she teases.
“Anytime, milady,” I reply, giving a mocking bow, but my gaze lingers on her a beat longer than usual.
I take her bag, my hand brushing hers when I pass it to her. Imaybedid that on purpose, but I’m not about to admit that out loud.
“Well, this is where I leave you, lass.”
She nods, but there’s disappointment in her expression. Or am I just reading too much into it?
“Callan, I…” she starts, then hesitates, biting her lip. I’m not sure what it is about the way she does it, but it hits me right in the gut. The little movement makes my thoughts scatter.
Her eyes meet mine, and for a second, the world holds its breath. “Thank you. For everything.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool, but I probably look like I’m overthinking the hell out of the whole thing. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
