“Our car is here.” Austin stops beside me, gripping my bicep. “You’re going to be okay. I think visiting the fam in Louisiana will be good for you.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I relent, giving him a hug.
I’m playing it off, but I’m with Edward. Maybe my wish did come true.
The more I heard about that dick Corey Hayes, the more I wanted to be there for Dove. At the same time… Damn, it was good to be back on the ice.
“Tell everyone I said hey.” Knox grabs my shoulder, pulling me close and speaking in my ear. “Don’t waste this.”
I push my fist into his ribs. “Thanks for keeping my secret, bro.”
My tone is sarcastic, but he shakes his head. “You’re notas sneaky as you think. Besides, you only get one big secret in your life.”
“Oh, really.”
“What are you talking about?” Dove walks over, and I take the puppy from her arms.
“Trust,” I say, cutting him a look.
“What does that mean?” Her brow crinkles with her smile.
Knox shakes his head, leaning down to give her a hug. “Good to see you again, Dove. Keep an eye on this guy.”
“I will.” Her voice is warm, and she hugs him back, slanting her blue eyes in my direction.
My annoyance with my doctor’s orders melts away, and we walk them to the car, waving as they pile in and then slowly pull away, headed to the airport.
Haddy returns to her home, and before long, it’s just Dove and me, standing on the sidewalk.
The twilight sky is lit by all the houses and streetlights, and I turn to her. She looks up at me. Kelani’s tail thumps happily against my waist.
“Hey.” She laughs softly.
My stomach tightens as my eyes drift from her pretty blue ones to her nose, to her full lips, to her chin.
“Hey.” My voice is low. “I can’t remember the last time it was just us.”
She tilts her head to the side, squinting. “Was it ever?”
“I think for like… five minutes.”
“Well, don’t get used to it.” She pokes her finger against my chest. “We’re about to leave again.”
I reach up to cover that finger with my hand, holding it close. “You’re sure Boo won’t mind if I crash her wedding?”
Dove’s head moves slowly side to side. “No,” she says with a smile.
Her hand is warm in mine, and her body is close. I want to slide my hand behind her neck, pull her closer, and cover her mouth with mine.
Instead, I release her and step back. “I’ll reserve the jet. We’re leaving tomorrow morning?”
That hint of a smile still pulls at her lips. “We’d better. Morning here is afternoon in Louisiana.”
“Okay.” I’d love to know what she’s thinking.
I wonder if she knows how she affects me, or if she simply exists. I’d love to know if the dizziness in my head is residual concussion or her.
Going with her to the wedding feels like traveling back in time. A time when I wasn’t as confident, and when I didn’t know how to act upon my feelings.
