“Able.” I smiled.
“Unusual name,” he noted, following me inside. Him seeing my small cottage in its typical state of disarray had my cheeks flushing. “Sorry, my place is a mess.” I grimaced.
His eyes remained on mine before drifting to my lips. I swore an actual spark snapped between us. “So, Able?” he pressed, his voice an octave lower.
I shook my head, trying to get out of the Travis fog. “Right, Able. I found him on the side of the road when he was a puppy. He’d been abused, starved, and left for dead. The vet I brought him to didn’t think he’d make it,” I explained. “I knew he was stronger than that. Able just seemed appropriate.” I shrugged just as Buster entered the room with a loud meow.
“And this guy,” I went on, gesturing to my orange tabby. “He just showed up one day and wouldn’t leave. Buster felt appropriate for him, too.” I laughed.
When I looked at Travis again I was floored to see the same look in his eye I’d seen when he looked at Hudson. “Now who has soft insides?” he murmured.
I looked down at my boots with a shrug. “I just did what anyone would.”
“Em, I’m sorry to say it, but I know firsthand that isn’t true.”
I wanted to ask him what he meant. I wanted to ask where that sadness and constant wariness I saw in him came from, but I didn’t. “Thanks for walking me inside,” I said instead.
He nodded, watching me intently. “You going to be okay?”
I waved a hand dismissively. “Fine. I’ll probably pay for it tomorrow, but it was fun.”
He smiled, flashing that dimple I’d only seen one other time. “I’m glad. I’ll see you soon. Lock the door behind me,” he instructed.
I was too surprised by his comment that I’d see him soon to manage a response until he was headed for the door. “Night, Travis.”
He looked over his shoulder, his eyes something close to hungry as he regarded me. “Good night, Emerly.”
“Holy hell,” I whispered, leaning my forehead against the door.
It was hours before I could find sleep, and as expected I had a nasty hangover the next morning.
When I let Able out, it took me a minute to register the small flashlight in front of my door, wrapped with a note.
E—So that you don’t have to walk in the dark. —Travis.
I was floored by the gesture, and clutched the small purple flashlight close to my chest, close to my heart, where I felt certain Travis could easily find himself.
