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Warmth spreads through me as he takes off down the hall. I draw in a calming breath. Being alone in the truck cabin with him may not be a good idea. If that’s true, then why am I giddy like a schoolgirl being asked to prom by the star quarterback? Scratch that. Wrong sport. Giddy like a girl being asked out by a broody first baseman.
Yeah, that’s better.
Chapter Fifteen
DALTON
I must bea glutton for punishment because I can’t seem to stay away from Cassie. The last thing I need to do is to be confined with her. Honestly though, how can I not volunteer? She needs help, and I want to spend time with her. I want to get to know her again. I can do that without falling harder for her and keep it casual until I prove myself worthy.If that’s even possible.
She grabs the truck keys from the hook behind the cabinet and smiles up at me. “You’re sure this isn’t a bother?”
“No. Now come on, people are waiting.”
“Do you want to drive?” she asks when we reach the truck.
“Why? It’s your truck.”
“I know, but you’re the man.”
I bite down on my bottom lip to stop the remark I want to make. One thing I’ve picked up on is how their church views women. They treat women like they’re subservient. I may have been raised with an asshole father and had a mother walk out on me, but I still don’t understand misogynist thinking.
“I can see that, but the truck is yours unless you’d rather me drive.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m just used to”—she shakes her head—“never mind.” Then she gives me a megawatt smile as she gets behind the wheel.
Yeah, this is a really fucking bad idea.
I clear my throat. “So, what’s on the agenda?”
“We have some furniture to pick up and deliver to the storage unit next to the church annex. I could’ve gotten most items myself, but a dresser and a large chaise lounge were donated. I can’t lift them by myself.”
“Glad to be of service. I’m sure you can handle this on your own, but I’ll be the added brawn when needed.”
She gives me a side glance. A whisper of a smile ghosts across her lips. I don’t miss the faint blush to her cheeks. My insides stir. Yeah, I won’t have a problem falling deeper for her.Liar.
“Is Baytown where you grew up?” I ask more for a distraction than anything.
“Yes, I’ve always lived here. We moved into our current house when I started fifth grade.”
I want to ask her where she’d been disappearing to at night, but I’m afraid the answer would be with Bobby. She assured me she’s ending things with him, and she hasn’t been as scarce, but I can’t shake my curiosity. If she answers her boyfriend, I don’t know what I’d do.
“So where have you been skipping off to?”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with Nicole.”
My hands unclench. I never realized how badly I was gripping them. “Is she still with her boyfriend?”
“The one she had when we visited Aunt Jan?”
“Yeah,”
“No, they broke up when she left for college. She has dated off and on but not anyone serious.”
“Does she go to the same college as you?”
“Yes, although she’s a year younger than me. That first year away was rough. I just wanted to be home with Mom.”
“I’m sure your mom wanted you to go.” I have absolutely no idea, but I assume that her mom would want the best for her, given how close they were.
