“Are you sure?” She descends her front steps. “I can have Dom stop by.”
“No. No.” Think of something. You’re digging yourself a grave you can’t get out of. “That’s fine. I appreciate the offer though.”
“Are you sure?” She stops on the sidewalk.
“Yes, I’m sure. I haven’t heard anything since I stopped. It could’ve been the radio.” Heat slides over my neck and up to my cheeks. Lord, that makes me sound like an idiot.
“Well…” She frowns and crosses her arms over her chest as if she’s protecting herself from the cold winds. “I guess that’s possible. The music these days is nothing like what we listened to as kids.”
“I need to go.” I wave my hand toward the road that leads to my apartment.
“Have a good night. I’ll wait here to make sure you get going, and if I hear anything I’ll call Dom for you.”
“Perfect.” I smile at her. “Thank you so much.” So much for going to Jake’s house. I roll my window up and turn toward my apartment.
Going to Jake’s house was a fantasy anyway. It’s not real. Yes, the sex would be phenomenal. I have no doubt about that. But then what? He has girls lining up propositioning him everywhere he goes.
Just like the other night at the bar. And at a fire for God sakes. I can’t compete with that. Especially since that’s not what he offered. He offered a good time. Not his hand in marriage.
The second I pull into my parking lot, my phone rings, and Jake’s number lights up the screen.
“Yes?” My hand shakes as I lift the phone to my ear.
“Shut off your car, lock up, and get into my pickup.”
I twist in my seat, finding his vehicle not even half a block away. He came to pick me up. This is crazy.
“Em, shut off your car, lock it up, and get into my pickup.” The words are slower this time as if he’s struggling to maintain his patience.
“Okay.” I jump out before I come to my senses, jog over to the darkened corner where he’s parked.
“I figured you needed rescuing from Mira.” He grins and my heart lodges itself into my throat. A man wearing a baseball hat, a tight-fitting T-shirt, and shorts displaying muscular thighs should be illegal.
And when you pair that with the beginnings of a 5 o’clock shadow, damp hair, and the heady scent of soap and cologne, it’s a surprise my panties aren’t tossed into the backseat.
“When I drove by her house, I told her I’d check on you. So, I’m getting Brownie points in the town’s gossip mill for being a standup chivalrous guy. And we have an alibi for talking if anyone sees us together.”
And my panties are back on. This is a hook up at most. Not a date.
“Thank you.” I lean into the black leather seat and snap on the belt.
“All tucked in?” His gaze rakes over me, causing my toes to curl in my shoes.
“Yes.”
“Perfect.” His eyes narrow as he grabs my hand, squeezing it, and then, rubbing the back of it with his thumb in a slow, circular motion. “Your mom is looking good.”
“She’s doing great. Kaleb took her to a doctor’s appointment yesterday, and everything is healing as expected. She’ll be increasing the intensity of her physical therapy next week.”
“That’s fantastic. I know she hates depending on others. It’s not her style.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Like mother like daughter.” He winks at me and my insides flutter.
When we go back past Mira’s house, I contemplate ducking below the window, but her light is off.
Again, the streets are utterly silent and devoid of traffic.
