let Trevor do it. As he flips on the engine, I figure it might be best to wait until the party is over. I’d rather not see my friends with mascara tears, and even though I knew who Trevor was going into this sexual relationship, it hurts. But at least I’m happier in myself and I’m still awesome.
But I might still cry . . .
“Did you design those?” he asks, nodding to the flowers.
“Yeah. They’re pretty, huh?”
“You did good, Ohio.”
He pilots the truck onto the road. I turn the heat up on my side and rub my hands together in front of the vent. There’s a chill I can’t shake, but I think it radiates from inside me and no amount of heated air will fix it.
“Turn here,” I say.
“So why are they moving?” he asks. It’s a clear conversation starter, and I hate that it’s so forced.
“Dane has lived in the house they live in now since before Mia was born. Now that Neely is in the picture, he thought it would be nice to have a house they could all see as home.” I shrug. “It’s pretty sweet, actually.”
“He seems like a good guy.”
“He really is.”
We drive quietly out of town. The sun hovers over the horizon, painting the sky the most beautiful colors. Trevor bites a fingernail, something I’ve never seen him do before, and I wonder if that’s a good sign or a bad one.
I’ve thought about our impending conversation all day and popped antacids like they’re candy. Whether it’s out of necessity or because I’m that desperate, I can find some hope in things. He came into the shop today. He’s going with me tonight. He wouldn’t do those things if he didn’t see something for us together. It wouldn’t make sense, and if Trevor is anything, he’s logical.
Besides sexy. He’s so fucking sexy.
He glances at me out of the corner of his eye and smirks. “You’re staring again.”
“You’re cute again. What do you want me to do?”
He reaches over and grabs my thigh. He gives it a gentle squeeze. “Thanks for inviting me tonight.” His tone lacks any enthusiasm whatsoever.
“Thanks for being so excited about it.”
He laughs, removing his hand. Instantly, I miss it. I want to take it off the steering wheel and put it back on my leg. Or arm. Or face.
Damn it.
“Is this it?” Trevor points at a farmhouse on the right. “Never mind. The sign makes it clear.”
We pull into the driveway and park behind Penn’s truck. Trevor jumps out and opens my door and pulls me into him before my feet hit the ground.
He smells amazing, like leather and pine. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest. He holds me tight, gripping the back of my head and pressing it into him. My body relaxes as his heartbeat plays beneath my cheek.
“I know you want an answer,” he says quietly. “I don’t want you to think I’m avoiding you or the conversation.”
“But aren’t you?” I ask, my chest burning like it’s on fire.
“No.” He shakes his head. “We have to figure out where we stand. I know that. I’m not stupid.”
“Is it something you have to think about? Or do you know?”
He lowers his face and kisses my head, letting his lips linger. “I don’t really want to talk about this right now.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” I fist his shirt in my hand and steady myself. Be strong. “But we’ll talk about it later. After the party?”
He kisses me again. “Yeah. We’ll talk tonight.”
I fight a lump in my throat as I pull back. He gives me a soft smile that, if I thought about it long enough, could be defined as sad. Or foreboding. Or the exact opposite spirit from what the bamboo was supposed to deliver.
Shoving it out of my brain, I focus on getting through the next couple of hours. At least here, I’m surrounded by my people. That’s good.
I take his hand, his palm enveloping mine, and start toward the house. “I want you to know that this party won’t be anything like your dad’s. So temper your expectations, please.”
He laughs, squeezing my hand. “Most parties aren’t like my dad’s because most men aren’t married to a Meredith.”
“I thought you and Jake put the party on for your father?” I ask.
“Oh, we did. Just like Dad had the house here built for her but she sent drawings and designs down to incorporate. Meredith has a way of getting what