Rita’s carwas parked in Kelsey’s driveway. Worst case scenario, she was passed out on Kelsey’s sofa again and he’d shown up in time to drive her home. Best case, Rita was passed out on her sofa again and he’d still get his moment alone with Kelsey. Davis parked his truck on the street in front of Kelsey’s house. She wasn’t expecting him, but he needed to see her. She was down. He hadn’t even had to talk to her to know. He could sense it in their text exchange.
Even if she just needed a friend, if she just wanted to talk, he had to be there for her. Like he always had been. Their relationship shifting into new territory wouldn’t change that fact that they were still best friends.
He knocked on the door softly. It was late and if the kids were sleeping, he couldn’t risk waking them. When the door creaked open, and Rita stood there the hope died in his chest.
“Oh, hey, Miss Sanders.” He pushed a hand through his unruly hair.
She smiled at him. “Davis, hello. Come on in.” She stepped aside and ushered him in.
He ducked inside, finding the house quiet and still, glowing by a lamp in the corner of the living room. It was warm and inviting, the scent of spices streaming from the kitchen.
“I’m glad you’re here. God knows my love bug could use a boost.”
“She’s still pretty down, huh?” He peered wistfully up the stairs where the bedrooms were.
Rita nodded, soberly before turning and walking into the living room. “I wish she’d just let me help her. But you know Kelsey. It’s gotta be her way.”
“Yeah,” he muttered, following her.
Rita wrapped a scarf around her neck and began dressing in her coat. “Listen, I got the kiddos down for the night but, I’m gonna scoot.”
“Is Kelsey still up?”
“She might be. I told her a nice bath might do her some good.”
If she was already sleeping, he wouldn’t be able to present his offer to her. But he could crawl into bed with her like he’d done in the past when she was sad after Isabella had left for college. They’d lay in bed for an entire day sometimes watching comedies and only crawling out to go to the bathroom and get more food. Maybe this time would be different. Maybe he could wrap her in his arms and hold her all night.
Taking a hold of his arm, Rita leaned in and pressed a kiss to Davis’s cheek. “Night, sweetie. You take good care of my girl.” She winked at him.
There was a lot conveyed in that wink. An insinuation he recognized. He felt a flutter in his chest and along with it, heat crept up his neck.
Oh he could think of many ways to take care of Kelsey. Many gratifying ways. His imagination went wild while his creativity kicked into gear. And along with it, his hankering for her.
After Rita had slipped out the door, he flipped the lock and tiptoed up the stairs, side stepping the toys strewn around. He found her bedroom door cracked open, a nightstand lamp illuminating the space. But her bed was empty, still perfectly made from the morning.
The bathroom door was closed, light peering from underneath. He stepped to the door and rapped on it quietly and waited.
“I’m almost done, Mama. It’s okay for you to just go on home,” Kelsey hollered through the door.
Davis cleared his throat. “Uh…it’s Davis.”
There was a lengthy pause, followed by the sound of water splashing.
“Davis?”
“Uh…yeah. Your mom let me in.”
Silence.
“Do you want me to go?”
“No.”
No? Well, what was he supposed to do?
“Did you want me to just wait downstairs…or?” Or what? He wasn’t implying…or maybe he was.
“Or you could come in.”
