She popped the door locks but didn’t open the door. “You know, Vander, I can get home just fine on my own.”
“I know.”
“Then why—”
“Because I want to.”
The air between them seemed to beat with a heart of its own, silencing the crickets and hum of insects around the bright light. Everything faded until it was just the two of them standing in the dark.
“That so?”
He held her stare. “Yeah.”
She slid into the driver’s seat and pulled the door shut behind her. The engine turned over, headlights cutting across the lot and washing over him as he moved to his truck.
Her car’s taillights glowed red, guiding him toward the quieter roads that led to the outskirts of Willowbrook.
Pope had crossed this line with her dozens of times, followed her to the duplex where she lived. The front door rarely shut all the way before she was in his arms, her soft noises of want trapped beneath his lips.
Up ahead, her brake lights flared as she slowed and turned onto a road leading to a small row of houses. When she pulled into her driveway, he drew up to the curb and cut the engine.
By the time they met on the front porch, his fingers were twitching to feel her skin.
They faced each other, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
“You didn’t have to follow me.” Her voice came out low.
“I know.”
She searched his face like she was looking for a different reason to explain why he cared.
“Thank you.”
He nodded once and reached for her, settling his hands on her hips as he held her gaze. “Get inside.”
A beat passed. Then she turned for the door.
Pope watched her unlock it and stop, her hand still on the knob.
She didn’t move.
He pulled in a breath. This wasn’t how things usually went.
Most nights, she turned back with no hesitation, just a look in her eyes right before she tipped her face up to his.
Tonight…nothing.
His jaw tightened as he watched her stand there, half in, half out like she couldn’t pick a side.
“Get inside,” he said again, voice grittier.
She still didn’t move, but her fingers flexed against the door.
Pope waited.
If she was pulling away, he wanted her to just do it. Rip the bandage off. He could handle bad news better than uncertainty.
Summer wasn’t usually cautious with him.
