Emmett blinks, his wheels clearly turning. “Where are you going to be?”
Les Dimplesmake a surprise appearance. “I’m going to steal your sister for a few hours.”
I do a double take. “Wait, what?”
“Oooh,”Emmett croons. I turn back to see him tilting his head from side to side, making a kissy-face.
“I didn’t—”
“How will you know,” Harry asks, narrow-eyed, “that we’re all earning our fifty bucks?”
“Photographic evidence,” Luc says without missing a beat. “Of everything. You’re going to keep me updated with pictures all night.”
“All night?!”Mattie’s eyes bug and she gives me a nervous glance.
I shake my head. “I’m not—”
Luc raises his hand again. “I’ll have her home by ten o’clock.”
Mattie blinks twice, her nerves clearly easing.
But mine are just getting revved up. “I’m home now, and I don’t plan on leaving.”
“Does that mean we don’t get the money?” Emmett asks, his panicked gaze bouncing between me and Luc.
I release the latch on my seatbelt. “I’m afraid so.”
The twins pipe up at once.
“But—”
“Can’t you—”
“Guys, would you give us a minute?” Luc asks, avoiding my stare. “Maybe just wait on the porch for a bit?”
“Sure thing, Luc,” Harry answers, already opening his door.
“Yeah,” Mattie says, following suit.
Emmett, stuck in the middle seat, takes his time. My little brother gives me his most earnest look. “I just want you to know that I want a chance to earn that fifty dollars. I know I can do it.”
I open my mouth to answer, but I really don’t know what to say. If I’m being honest, I don’t understand what’s going on.
“Just wait on the porch, okay,jefe?”Then Luc pulls out his wallet and takes out a card. “Here. My cell is on this. Share it with your brother and sister so you can text me.”
Emmett takes the card. “Sure thing, Luc,” he says, sounding just like a mini-Harry. He slides out Harry’s open door and both doors slam shut, leaving me staring at Luc.
“What the hell is going on? Are you trying to bribe my siblings?”
Chuckling, Luc shakes his head. “No, I just want some time alone with you.”
An arc of electricity zings through me, but I do my best to ignore it. “Luc, we’ve talked about this—”
“No, Millie. We haven’t. Not enough.” His smile dims. “Just give me a few hours. All right?”
I want to. I really want to. “I don’t think I should.”
Luc shifts in his seat. He doesn’t move any closer, but I seem to feel him—his presence, his energy, his pull—stronger anyway. “Why not?”
