I didn’t hesitate. “Would love to.” I glanced at the house. The lights were dimmed, but I could see that a television was on in the front room. “Will it be okay though? Tyler’s still awake.”
“He’s waiting for us.”
“Will I be in trouble for making out with you in my truck?”
“Since he orchestrated all this, I don’t think so.”
I got out of the truck to run around and help her down, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her in for another kiss. “I could do this all night,” I said against her mouth. “But I’ll behave myself.”
We walked toward the house, holding hands. I felt as giddy as a kid at Christmas. I hardly recognized myself. If this kept up, my reputation as a grump would be in jeopardy.
Tyler was on the couch when we came through the door, feet on the coffee table, watching a movie. He sat up to greet us. “Hey. How was dinner?”
“Really good,” Seraphina said, setting her clutch on the entryway table. “How was your evening?”
“Good. I put the new strings on my guitar.” He got up from the couch, running a hand through his thick hair, studying his mother. “Your lipstick’s smudged.”
Seraphina flushed, swiping under her bottom lip.
Tyler grinned, which told me he knew exactly what had smeared her lipstick.
I changed the subject, real quick. “Your mom tells me you’ve got your learner’s permit. Are you excited to drive?”
“I cannot wait. But at this rate, I’m never going to learn. Mom’s afraid to take me out. She acts like a total maniacwhenever I’m driving,” Tyler said to me. “Clutching that handle thing and pushing her foot into the floor like she thinks it’s a brake. And she said some words I’ve never heard come out of her mouth.”
Seraphina clutched the necklace that hung around her neck. “Mostly because I was afraid for my life.”
“I’m not that bad. Mom’s a nervous passenger.”
I chuckled. “Wes taught me to drive. I remember a few tense moments.”
“How come your dad didn’t teach you?” Tyler asked.
“He worked a lot when I was a kid, so Wes stepped in,” I said.
“Oh, that’s cool.” A wistfulness crept into Tyler’s voice.
“I could take you out tomorrow,” I said. “If it would help?”
“Yes, it would definitely help,” Seraphina said a little too quickly.
Tyler’s face lit up. “Really? Yeah, that would be awesome.”
“I’ll be here at the house if you want to take my car out,” Seraphina said. “It’s probably best since that’s the car he’ll take the test in.”
“Sure thing,” I said. “What time should I meet you?”
“Around five?” Tyler asked. “After practice?”
“I’ll be here.”
“Awesome.” Tyler grinned. “Okay, I’m headed up to bed. See you both tomorrow.”
He took off, taking the stairs two at a time until we heard the sound of him moving down the hallway toward his room.
“What bad words did you say?” I asked, teasing, as I took her hands in mine.
“You don’t want to know. I was ashamed of myself. But seriously, I’ve never been as afraid in my life. You sure you want go out with him tomorrow?”
