Page 62 of Wilde Flame

She shrugged. “Lesson not to judge a book by its cover.”

Gatlin laughed as he wrapped his arm around Lilibeth’s shoulders and walked away with her.

“Did you just…growl?”

I turned to see Levi standing slightly behind me.

“No.”

He gave me a skeptical look.

I was about to say I needed to get some air when my father announced the next game.

The next few hours were filled with lots of games and even more laughter. Still, by the time the games were finished, I was definitely ready to bolt.

Sitting on the sofa, I watched Lilibeth chat with my mother. I wasn’t sure what they were saying, but they both wore broad smiles. Lilibeth’s hair was in a ponytail with a red and green ribbon tied at the top. She wore leggings and a short sweater dress that hugged her in all the right ways. She looked so fucking adorable, it was hard not to walk up, draw her into my arms, and kiss her.

Throwing her head back in laughter, Lilibeth put her hand on my mother’s arm. Mom covered Lilibeth’s hand with her own, and something inside me physically tightened, causing me to rub at my chest.

I never saw Rachel talk so comfortably with my mother like this, let alone laugh with such delight. My mother’s eyes sparkled as she spoke to Lilibeth. That wasn’t a surprise, though. When Lilibeth spoke to someone, regardless of whether it was my mother or little Katie—who’d begged her earlier to braid her hair—she gave that person her undivided attention. Like they were the only two people in the room.

Lilibeth’s parents walked over and hugged my mother. It was obvious they were all getting ready to leave. My grandmother joined them, and Lilibeth drew her into a hug. Grams whispered something into her ear, which made Lilibeth flush a deep red. She surreptitiously glanced around the room, and when her gaze caught mine, she smiled slightly.

Standing, I made my way over to the small group.

“Leaving?” I asked, bending to kiss her on the cheek.

“Yes. I was just telling your mother and grandmother that I’ve never had so much fun.”

Smiling at my mother, I said, “Mom knows how to throw a good party.”

“She certainly does!” my grandmother added.

Mom put her arm around Grandma as she said, “Nellie was a wonderful teacher.”

“Thank you again. We had a wonderful time,” Whitney, Lilibeth’s mother, said. “It was such a fun day.”

Mom kissed Whitney and hugged Liam, Lilibeth’s father. He turned to me and shook my hand. “It was good to see you again, Caden.”

I tipped my head. “You as well.” I glanced at Lilibeth. “May I walk you out?”

Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. “Of course. Let me say goodbye to your sisters and brother. I’ve already spoken to your father and grandfather.”

Whitney took her daughter’s hand. “We’re going to head out, sweetheart.”

Kissing her mother quickly, Lilibeth replied, “Okay. Be safe driving home, and let me know when you get there.”

“It was so good to see you, Caden.”

“You as well, Whitney.”

Following them to the door, I helped my mother get their coats, then bade them another farewell. When Lilibeth approached, I helped put her coat on.

“Thank you,” she said softly, as she avoided looking me in the eye.

“Be careful driving, it’s starting to snow.”

She grinned. “I will, Dad.”