“Miss me already?” Collin asks, his voice soft and full of the love I know he feels for her.
Her gentle chuckle fills the truck cab. “Always.”
“What’s up, babe?”
“I can’t get the front door locked.”
“What?” he asks, pulling into my driveway and putting the truck in park.
“The deadbolt won’t turn at all. I’m not sure what’s going on. Guy didn’t mention there was any issue when he opened up earlier today,” she says.
Collin runs his hand over his face, and I can tell he’s nervous. “I’ll be right back,” he states with an edge, already reaching for the gearshift.
“We’re safe,” she responds right away.
“I don’t like you not being able to lock the door, Lizzie. I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
I’m already climbing out of the truck, so Collin can get back to Lizzie and figure out what’s going on with the lock. When I step out, I notice Quinn is too. “Go,” Quinn states.
“I can drop you on my way,” Collin says, already putting the truck in reverse.
“Go. I’m three blocks away. I’m fine to walk.”
I can tell my brother wants to argue, but the protective streak that runs a mile wide through his soul also needs to get back to his girlfriend as quickly as possible. “You sure?” he finally asks.
Quinn throws his hand, as if waving him off. “I’ll make sure Charli gets inside and then walk. Thanks for the lift, Collin. Let me know if you need any help with the lock,” Quinn says, stepping back and shutting the passenger door.
My oldest brother backs away and takes off toward town, leaving Quinn and me standing on the sidewalk in front of my condo. “Come on,” he says, pointing to my door.
“Have you heard from Camden?” I ask.
“Uhh, yeah. He’s good. He’s with Laura,” he replies with a faint grin on his face.
“Eww,” I mutter, not wanting to think about my little brother and the woman he’s probably hooking up with right now.
“You asked,” Quinn replies, shoving his hands in his pockets as we step up to my front door. I enter my code and open the door.
Crossing the threshold, I turn and face the man I can’t stop thinking about. “Thanks for walking me to my door.”
He nods. “You’re welcome.”
“Are you sure you’re okay to get home? You’ve been drinking tonight too.”
“I didn’t really have many tonight,” he says, glancing away for a moment.
“What? Really? Why not? It’s your birthday,” I proclaim, running back the night through my head. I saw Quinn—a lot—and he always had a drink in his hand. Was it the same drink for extended periods of time? I assumed when he went to the bar to get me a drink, he was getting one for himself too.
Perhaps I was wrong?
He levels me with an intense gaze, those dark eyes burning into my soul. “I was distracted.”
Warmth spreads through my veins as my eyes zero in on his mouth. “By what?” I ask, feeling a little cheeky.
He takes a step forward, meeting me at the threshold. He doesn’t touch me, but we’re only a breath apart. “You know what,” he replies, his laser-sharp eyes focused on my mouth.
“Huh, I have no clue,” I insist, lifting my chin and holding his gaze.
He leans in and inhales.
