My back stiffens slightly, but I make it a point to lean back a bit on my bed. I break his mesmerizing gaze and look away. “No, I mean yes. I need to do this on my own. It’s been ages since I last went to see my dad. It’s terrible, really. I mean, I’m an adult now. Keeping in contact is just as much my responsibility as it is his. So, I think it would be weird if I showed up asking stay there and brought along my…” My eyebrows scrunch in as I realize we haven’t defined what we are.
“Your…” Wade says, a lopsided grin emerging.
I narrow my eyes and purse my lips.
“Ooohh, do you have trouble saying it?” he chuckles.
I give him a sideways glance, noticing he hasn’t technically defined what we are, either. “Regardless…” I say slowly, changing the subject.
A smug look of satisfaction slides across his features and he leans back in his chair, watching me closely. He crosses his legs, placing his right ankle on top of his left knee.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I carry on. “This really is something I need to do on my own. But I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Hoffman.”
Wade’s eyes open wide and I grin broadly, knowing I hit the money. It pays to know every old lady in town. They knew exactly which grandpa was on hospice, who also had a new grandson in town to help. Plus, the fact that we’ve practically spent every waking moment together for the past few days helps.
“Ah, so you’ve done your homework, I see.”
“Of course. I told you I would,” I smile.
“Well played, Ms. Blackwood. Didn’t take as long as I thought it would.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” I say, lying down on my side and propping my head on my hand.
“Well, I hope I get to meet your dad soon,” Wade says. “I mean, I don’t know about you…but I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.”
“Was that a jab at me leaving?” I say, quirking an eyebrow.
“Of course not. I’m still lazily tip toeing around the previous subject. Poorly, obviously,” he laughs.
My heart lightens, but I remind it to chill out. Things don’t need to be defined right away. It’s kind of nice to settle into the energy of a new relationship—if that’s what this is.
Of course, that’s what this is. Who am I kidding?
“Hmmm… Well, you will definitely meet him. If I do end up staying at his place, you better damn well come and visit me. But we’ll do the introductions right,” I say, sounding more independent and self-assured than I actually feel.
“Sounds like a most excellent plan,” he says, tipping his head in acknowledgement.
“Did you just go all Bill and Ted on me?” I say, covering my laugh.
Looking over his shoulder, then switching to the other side, he presses his fingertips to his chest. “Who? Me? How old do you take me for, miss? I’m not forty.”
“I’m not entirely convinced,” I say, shooting him a sideways glance and dialing my dad’s number for the sixth time. Again, it goes to voicemail.
I stand up and grab my purse from the hook by the door.
Wade drops his laid-back position and stands. “Going already?”
“Yeah, may as well. I want to get this over so I know where I stand. Besides, my mom’s gone, so it’ll be easier to head out without a thousand questions.”
Without another word, we make our way downstairs. Once outside, I lock the front door and follow the sidewalk to the driveway. When we reach my Ford Escape, I turn to face him, leaning against the blue door.
“So, is your mom working today?” Wade asks.
I shake my head. “No, she went shopping. Something about a big conference coming up in a couple of weeks that she has to attend.”
He nods. “Does she know about you going to Windhaven?”
I grimace.
“Oh, intrigue. Why didn’t you tell her?” Wade asks.
“You know why. She doesn’t understand the whole Windhaven draw. The last thing I want to do is get her riled up right now. She’ll assume I want to take over the world with superpowers or something.” I kick off the door so I can open it and toss my purse onto the passenger seat.
Twisting around, I turn to face him and he wraps his arms around me. He pulls me in tight, turning a simple hug into something borderline sexy. Chills race across the surface of my skin and a part of me wants nothing more than to forget going to Windhaven and, instead, bring him back inside and do unspeakable things to him.
“Get the answers you need, beautiful,” Wade whispers in my ear.
As he pulls back from our embrace, his hands make their way to my face and he guides me in close. Electricity sparks between us and, like a magnet, I’m drawn to him. My hands rise to his hair, weaving themselves into his dark locks.
When he pulls back, my world is spinning.
“Mmmm…” he says dreamily. “Have I mentioned I’m glad I went to the cemetery that night?”
Involuntarily, I lean back against my car door, and smile.
He beams, taking a tentative step backward. “You’ll let me know when you’re back, right?”
Still unable to form words, I nod.
He seems to understand as he reaches around to open my car door for me. Nodding at the gesture, I sit and roll down the window. Reaching for the ignition, I start my beat-up SUV.
“Are you sure this thing will get you there?” Wade chuckles.
I’ve had Big Blue forever, but her time is coming to an end, of that I have no doubt.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, still grinning to myself.
“Okay, well, text me when you get there. And if you need me, just say the word. I’ll come find you,” he says, placing his hands on the windowsill.
“I will,” I whisper.
Wade bends in, planting one last gentle kiss on my lips
