Page 109 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“Why not? Put this thing in reverse, and back the hell up. You want to learn, don’t you? You’re not driving any distance your father can’t see. I’m with you. It’s good. Let’s go.”

She didn’t know how to refuse Cross. Not when he looked at her like he was. Not when he made sure to show her that he didn’t forget about her during his day. Not when he smiled. Not when he loved her.

“If my father has a fit, you say this was your idea,” Catherine said, cocking a brow.

Cross yanked his Academy tie off and tossed it into the back seat. “It was my idea. And seriously, don’t hit my Rover.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Yeah, but you love it.”

An arrogant ass.

And she did love it.

It took three long hours, but as Cross headed to his Rover with a wave over his shoulder, Catherine was pretty sure she would be able to drive a stick shift as long as she wasn’t on the highway. That, she probably needed a bit of practice on, given the speed.

Maybe her father had a point …

Maybe she just needed the right teacher.

Catherine waited until the Rover was gone from her sight, and then she turned on her heel to head for the house. It was way past supper, and she was starved.

Her father sat on the front steps of the large home, and while he didn’t look particularly happy, he also didn’t look very angry.

She took that as a good sign.

“Cross came to visit, I see,” her father said.

Catherine took a seat on the steps, too. “He wanted to wish me a happy birthday.”

“He’s coming tomorrow, isn’t he? It couldn’t wait?”

“I guess not.”

“Catherine.”

“He loves me, Daddy,” she said quietly, “and that means he doesn’t like to wait, I think.”

Dante said nothing for a long while, and then nodded at her car. “You seem to be doing better with the car. I’ll have to call Giovanni back and let him know not to come later.”

“Cross is a good teacher.”

“An illegal teacher.”

Catherine’s eyes rolled skyward. “You’re just like Ma.”

“Pardon?”

“You of all people have no business lecturing anyone on what is illegal or legal, considering who you are and all.”

Dante’s lips quirked up at the edges. “Actually, Catherine, I would think that gives me an even better standing to point it out, seeing as how I have so much experience, but that’s just me.”

“You look a little out of it,” Cross heard his mother say from down the hall. “Did you even hear what I was saying?”

“I always hear you, Emmy,” Calisto replied, “even when you think I don’t.”

“Then what did I say?”