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Her head jerked toward him. “You have?”
“Thinking about how things used to be. With us hanging out, it’s all coming back to me. I could have done things differently.”
Overwhelmed with frazzled emotions, she clasped his hand. “We both could have. I should have given you the chance to explain.”
Seth released a heavy sigh. “Do you think we could have made it? If we really tried?”
She asked herself the same question. It resonated in her mind like echoes from a hidden lyre. What if he had stayed? Could she have handled a long-distance relationship so young?
“You did the right thing,” she said.
His eyebrows raised. “I never thought I would hear you say that.”
“I never thought I would,” she joked.
“You never cease to amaze me.”
Her body relaxed. “I’m glad you could come. It’s been fun.”
With that, she and Seth watched the rest of the film in silence. By the time the ending credits rolled, Leah retrieved her keys from her cross-body purse. Seth strolled beside her, escorting her to her car. She paused for a second and twirled to look up at him.
“Thank you for tonight. I know this is not your thing.”
Seth looked at the ground at first, but then let his gaze drift to her face. “You’re welcome. It wasn’t bad. Can I get the movie in color?”
Leah laughed. “No, at least not that movie.”
“Did you like the ending?”
“Not really, but it’s a movie.”
Seth folded his arms across his muscular chest. “I was thinking, what if Cathy had been honest with herself? Maybe she could have ended up with Heathcliff.”
Leah tilted her head to the side. “I always wondered if they would have been happy if she didn’t let status dictate everything. Then again, they lived in that time. We see it somewhat now in our generation, depending on the country, but society is a little…” She stopped mid-sentence, stunned at his spellbound look on her face. “Seth?”
He blinked, as if to interrupt his trance. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. I forgot how much you loved this. Your whole face changed.”
The corners of her mouth curled upwards. “I guess I got carried away.”
“It was beautiful… like you.” His gaze lingered over her.
“Thank you.” Leah unglued her eyes off him. “I need to go, so I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sure thing.”
As Leah drove home in silence, her expression slid into a frown. Worry winded its way around her like a jointed reptile. How would she handle all of this?
Seth wanted more with her. She couldn’t deny his firm eye contact or his rapt attention. Speaking with a soft tone, his words washed over her. Leah pressed her lips together.
Chapter 14
Joy blossomed within Leah as she sat among the golden retriever puppies at Piedmont Valley’s animal shelter. She cuddled one pup in her arms, grateful that she took the day off to enjoy herself. The small pups climbed over her lap while others reached out their tiny paws. She cradled the one in her arms but made room for the other pup that barked. She reached out for him and held him to her chest. She laughed at his tongue licking her jaw.
“You’re a friendly one, aren’t you?” Her hand stroked his golden fur. His deep brown eyes melted her heart.
“He seems taken with you.”
Leah raised her chin to Holly, one employee of the town’s animal shelter. “He seems sweet.”
