working in a dentist office. Besides, I don’t expect them to last too long. They’ve been running pretty hard.”
Lis looks conflicted but the hope on her son’s face must convince her because she agrees. Jacob hoots his excitement and jumps in her arms. When they start for the front door, I look at my phone and note the time. Dang it’s later than I thought. Lis stands and begins gathering her belongings.
“I should get going.”
“Let me make sure everything is covered with the bill and I’ll walk you out.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. Give me two seconds.”
Rushing over to the counter, I confirm the bill was paid in advance before meeting Lis at the front door. Pushing the door open, I usher her ahead, my hand resting on her lower back. That same something passes between us again, but I don’t address it. Instead, I drop my hand and walk next to Lis as she pushes a button on the fob in her hand once then twice.
“What the heck?”
“Something wrong?”
She holds her hand up higher, pointing toward a small SUV. “Why aren’t the lights flashing?”
As we step up to the vehicle, I note the back door is slightly open. “Battery might be dead.”
“Ugh. Of course this happens the one time my parents go out of town.”
“I can give you a jump and follow you home. Make sure you don’t have any issues on the way.”
The smile she gives me has triggered something between us again. Maybe my bad luck is turning around.
Chapter 14
Felicity
It’s fine. I’m fine.
Everything is fine.
Connor is just following me home. He’s being a gentleman. Who says chivalry is dead? Sure I actually said that a few months ago but what do I know? Maybe I should turn some music on, get lost in a country song. Yes, I should do that. Except my hands are shaking like a house on a fault line.
We’ll pull up in front of the house and I’ll wave him off. It’s going to be fine. Not like I’m inviting him inside. Should I invite him inside? Oh God, why am I so awkward? I know why. Because I have next to no experience with men. I’ve not had more than a casual conversation with a person of the male gender since I met with the attorneys after my divorce.
It’s also been a long time since I’ve been attracted to a man. And I’m attracted to Connor. Boy am I. My fingers itch to touch his trim beard. The idea of that same beard tickling my neck sends a shiver through my spine. A warm feeling in my lower belly has my heart racing and my mind scurrying to keep up.
He’s handsome and has a bad-boy vibe that oozes from his pores. The pheromones are real. Glancing to the rearview mirror, I confirm he’s still behind me as I flip the signal to turn onto my street. Slowly, I pull into the driveway and kill the engine. Sitting with my hands gripping the steering wheel, I run multiple scenarios through my head. I could thank him politely and excuse myself to wash my hair. Or, I could just wave and run into the house and slam the door. No, that sounds a little harsh.
A loud banging on the window scares me and I scream like a star of a horror movie. Hand to my chest I turn to the noise and see Connor with a concerned look on his face. Opening the door, I begin to step out when the seatbelt chokes me and keeps me in place. Ohmygosh. You’d think I’ve never been around a person before. I just ate two slices of pizza while talking about my favorite ice cream and thoughts on mustard for goodness sake.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“No problem,” I mutter as I untangle myself from the seatbelt and grab my purse. Slamming the door, I adjust my shirt and blow the hair from my face. “I made it safe and sound. I’ll have my dad take a look tomorrow when they get back.”
Looking at the dark house, Connor pauses before returning his attention back to me. “You mentioned they were out of town. Where’s Clem? A friend’s house too?”
I wish she was with a friend. Things are getting better for her in the new class, but I still worry about the way she’s being treated. “With my folks actually. They took her to Austin.”
Unable to look him in the eye, I’m suddenly very interested