Page 130 of Where Roads Lead

Now, with Elsie’s head against the window, I took the opportunity to peek over at her.

She might’ve been laughing in the dark with Theo, but it was still my jacket she was wearing.

I hadn’t ever known myself to be possessive and territorial like that, but there it was, swelling inside of me when I saw my clothes on her.

The jacket hung humorously baggy around her frame, but I couldn’t help but think it was my favorite thing she’s ever worn.

We pulled up in front of her house, both sitting in the darkness of the truck for minutes without moving.

I’d been preparing myself to say something, a thousand different options playing out in my head as I mulled over how to possibly explain myself. But as always, she beat me to it.

“Will?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah?”

“Why do things feel different between us?”

Of course, she’d jump right into it.

She was bold like that. Right from the moment I met her.

It was one of my favorite things about her. But damn, it was putting me on the spot.

“I guess,” I said, heaving a sigh, “things have been weird since the other night.”

She stilled, chewing her lip.

“You mean, that night you decided to clean my gutters in the dark?”

“Yeah,” I laughed, “but that’s not the part of the night I was referring to.”

She looked off toward her house and said, “You mean what happened on the steps.”

Or almost happened.

What should’ve happened if I hadn’t been a moron.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “That.”

“Are you mad about it?”

“What?” I asked, surprised. Why the hell would I be mad? “No. Of course not. But I think we should talk about it.”

“Okay.” She nodded in agreement. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” I echoed. “Sorry for what?”

“That I—” Then she shook her head, changing course. “No, actually. I want you to go first.”

“Me?” I asked, not even knowing where to start.

I figured the truth wouldn’t land quite well.

I saw you that first day and subconsciously laid some type of invisible claim on you that’s only gotten stronger each day.

“Is there something specific you want to know?”

“Yes, actually. I want you to tell me why you wouldn’t let Theo walk me home. Why you insisted on taking me yourself.”