Arching a brow, she said, “What is your recollection?”
“We had an unspoken conversation and decided to explore an avenue.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
“Then you said we wouldn’t talk about it again,” I continued.
“And you agreed.”
“I didn’t say anything that night.Youset the rules.”
Dallas placed her hands in her lap. “Did you want to talk about it?”
“Talkis not really the right word, Dallas.”
“What is the right word, then?”
“Repeat,” I said.
She sucked in a deep breath, then stood. “It’s time to go.” She started to shuffle away but stopped. “I meant it’s time formeto go home andyouto go to your house. With no detours to the bathroom.”
With a smirk, I nodded. “Whatever you want.”
During the short drive to Dallas’ house, we didn’t talk much. But it was just as well. As much as I’d enjoyed my time with her, I knew it wouldn’t last. Dallas’ ability to compartmentalize her emotions and feelings was only rivaled by one person—me. I understood what was at play here. And I would respect her wish to keep things distant.
“Thanks for helping me up these steps.” Dallas unlocked her front door and opened it. “Tonight was alright, Preston. I had a good time, even though my hip is on fire from sitting on that barstool.” She stepped inside her house and kicked off her shoes. “I really need to take a bath.”
Am I supposed to go in with her? The fact that she was still talking to me, and not closing the door in my face, prompted me to follow her inside. “Do you need anything?” I shut the door behind me.
She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Only if you got those healing hands.” She let out a cute giggle and lowered herself to a chair. “Just kidding. All I need is a good soak.”
I tried to recall if I’d ever been inside her home without a buffer.Nope. The architect in me had catalogued the design elements of the house, the wall color, the trim, the type of doors she had, the thickness of the dark hardwood flooring, the open flow from the living room to the kitchen. But I’d never really paid attention to the décor, the tiny pieces of herself displayed around the room, the pictures of those she loved placed on shelves. I picked up a small picture of her, Duke, and Dexter—The Triples, as I’d heard them called before. In it, Dallas was in the middle, flanked by her brothers. Protected. It looked like they might’ve been at a picnic or something, because they were dressed casually, and Duke had a basketball in his free hand. I’d watched her and Coop with their respective siblings. It always felt like I’d missed something important in my own life, something valuable, something priceless.
Wasting time on “what-ifs” had never been my thing, but now that I knew I had a different father, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had siblings out there somewhere.
“Still don’t want to talk about it?” she asked.
I caught Dallas’ pained look when I met her gaze. “Maybe you should take some Advil or Aleve?” I suggested.
She rested her leg on the ottoman. “I’m okay. Are you?”
I sighed, torn between telling her everything and telling her nothing. Earlier, she’d effectively doused my hope for a repeat when she’d ended our conversation, which was okay. But I couldn’t help but wonder why I was there.
A knock on the front door pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, shit. Who the hell is that?” She struggled to get up from her chair. I helped her up. “Thanks,” she murmured, walking to the door slowly. “Coop!” she shouted when she opened the door. She smacked him. “I said I would kick your ass on sight, but I’m too happy you’re not dead from alcohol poisoning.”
I grinned, grateful Coop had finally come to tell her his news. I gave him dap. “I’m glad you came by, man. I was tired of the interrogation.”
Coop thanked me for not telling his business. Then, he glanced at Dallas, then me, then back at Dallas. I could tell his mind was running with the possibilities. “What are you doing at Dallas’ house anyway?” he asked.
“Leaving.” She nudged me out the door. The bubble we’d been in had finally burst, which I’d expected. And knowing Dallas, she wouldn’t want anyone to think there was more going on here than it was. Especially since I knew she’d been dealing with PR issues.
Cooper narrowed his eyes, studying both of us. “Right.” He crossed his arms. “Listen, I can’t stay, but I wanted to tell you in person. I’m moving to Rosewood Heights. Tonight.”
Dallas’ eyes widened and a slow smile spread across her lips. “Because you’re in love with Angel.” When Cooper confirmed her suspicion, she cheered. “I knew it!” She pulled him into a hug, then smacked him again. “That’s for planning a move to a whole ‘nother state without telling me. You’re lucky Charleston is a short flight away. Punk.”
Cooper smiled. I’d never seen my best friend so happy, and considering what he’d been through, I thought it was about time. “Thank you, Dallas,” he said. “You were right.”
