“You’re really leaving no stone unturned,” Jillian said, shaking her head.
Something was off with her, and he couldn’t place it.
He straightened up and moved closer, trying to read it in her eyes. But her gaze was focused on the floors, the ceiling, anywhere but Tripp.
“How was your day?” he asked gently, hoping that whatever was going on, she would feel better once she told him.
“Oh,” she said, finally meeting his eyes. “It was good. Um, the principal asked me for a favor.”
“Oh yeah?” Tripp asked.
“One of the parent chaperones for the Winter Formal dropped out,” she said. “And I’m going to take their place.”
“Wow,” Tripp said. “It must be weird to think about going as a chaperone.”
“I can bring a plus-one,” she said awkwardly, her eyes back on the floor.
That was all?
Relief flowed into Tripp’s chest, and he did his best to hide his smile.
“I see,” he said.
“Mama, Mama, Mama,”Posey yelled, running down the hallway and wrapping her arms around her mother. “We picked tomatoes in the greenhouse today.”
“Incredible,” Jillian said, turning her attention to her daughter.
All Tripp wanted to do was ask her to take him to that dance. But he was determined to do it the right way this time.
Jillian headed to the kitchen with Posey to greet Mari and her grandparents.
Tripp kept working on the living room floor, his mindswirling with so many ideas that he was grateful to have something to do with his hands and his energy.
He might have a million ideas about asking Jillian to make him her date. But there was only one that would show Jillian he had listened and that he cared. And it required keeping his fool mouth shut until he could get her alone.
He managed to focus on the living room until the oak floor was completely exposed and the pieces of carpet and padding were tied up neatly and stowed in the back of his truck for disposal.
He didn’t say one word through washing up and enjoying apples with peanut butter for a snack with the girls.
And he didn’t throw himself at Jillian’s feet during the nice cup of tea and chat with her and her grandparents after the girls ran off to play before homework time.
Instead, he managed to bide his time enjoying their company, drinking two cups of Earl Gray, and eating half the box of graham crackers Mrs. Johnson put out—he was pretty sure just for him.
It wasn’t until he was getting ready to head home that he asked Jillian if she would like to walk him out to his truck.
“Oh, um, yes,” she said, looking a little flustered. But the pink in her cheeks told him she was pleased.
He opened the front door for her and offered her his hand as they headed down the steps.
She took it, and he felt such a surge of happiness at the feel of her soft hand in his again that he almost forgot why he wantedto talk to her.
But when they reached his truck, he came to his senses and grabbed her other hand.
Her green eyes rose to his and she waited with her lips slightly parted, like she was wondering if he was going to talk to her or kiss her.
By heaven’s sweet angels, all he wanted was to pull her into his arms, drink in her peppermint scent, and kiss her like there was no tomorrow.
But he was going to do everything the right way.
