I saw his jaw clench the second I saidMr. Roberts, but his tone sounded casual when he said, “I wanted to hang out with you.”
“Me? Why?”
His brows were creased when he glanced over at me. “Because I want to get to know you better.”
“You do? Why?”
He stole another look at me before making the turn onto Polk Drive.
“Why do you think?”
I thought I had an idea, but I’d feel really stupid if I said it out loud and was completely off base. Or worse, he laughed when he told me I couldn’t be more wrong.
“Um… I’m not sure.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow and try again.” He paused, then said, “Unless you don’t want me—”
I cut him off before he continued his thought. “No!” I realized that might have sounded too emphatic, so I toned it down. “I liked having you there.”
Oh geez, Jess. Why don’t you just fling yourself at him?
I tried backtracking a little more.
“I mean, it was nice having someone to talk to.” I pointed to the upcoming street. “Turn left on Jackson Drive.”
****
Alan
My ego wanted me to press and ask her, “Someoneorme?” but my rational side appeared just in time and shut that down.
I made the left turn and asked, “So, you won’t mind if I come back tomorrow, then?”
“No, I wouldn’t mind that all.”
It wasn’t exactly “I’d love it if you came back, Alan. That would make my day!”, but I’d take it.
“Great. Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”
“Really? I don’t want to put you out. I mean, you’re already giving me a ride home. Take the next right on Dogwood Lane.”
I already knew how to get to her house. I had Lainey give me Jessica’s address last night, then looked it up on the satellite app on my phone. It was barely two miles out of town.
“Jess, it’s like five minutes out of my way. It’s no trouble.”
A small smile crept across her lips. “Okay, that’d be great.”
Then her smile fell, and she let out a small sigh. I turned to where her attention was. That’s when I noticed a gold Buick in the driveway of a white farmhouse up the road.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alan
“It looks like your parents have company.”
“Yeah. Mr. Roberts mentioned yesterday that he was coming to dinner tonight. I thought they’d reschedule until Saturday when I’m off, since I guess I’m supposed to cook for him.” She sounded defeated and her eyes that had been full of light all day were suddenly dimmed.
It was like watching her shut down in front of my eyes.
