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“I think I can probably handle that.” I nod.
“Thank you.” It comes out as a breathy sigh that makes my entire body warm.
She leans her forehead against my chest for a few more minutes and I slide my arms around her waist. I don’t know how tonight wound up this way, with her in my arms, but I’m not complaining. As the fireflies start to come out, and the crickets start singing their nightly song, I keep holding her and she keeps holding me. And I’m honestly scared if either one of us lets go, the other will completely shatter.
Chapter Eleven
Lucy
Workhasbecomemysafe place. Things at home are still a little awkward and tense with Mom, neither of us really know how to be there for the other. We eat dinner in awkward silence whileNCISplays, sometimes trying to have a stilted conversation that usually doesn’t go farther than a brief explanation of our day.
But work is a good distraction. So when five o’clock comes on Wednesday, I’m hesitating shutting off my computer and going home.
“God, I amso readyto go home.” Stacey, the office manager, leans against my desk.
I smile tightly and nod. “Oh, yeah, same.”
Stacey raises a dark eyebrow at me. “You’re a terrible liar, don’t ever play poker.”
“Gee, thanks.” I laugh.
“If you don’t want to go home, then don’t. You’re young, go out for the night. It wouldn’t kill you to have a little fun, Lucy.”
She’s right, and I know that. But I haven’t talked to Allie in a few weeks, since the incident in Carina’s, so who would I even go out with? A pair of warm eyes and a mischievous smile pops into my head, and I glance at Stacey, smiling.
“You know, you’re right. A little fun wouldn’t kill me.”
Stacey winks at me as she heads out the door. I grab my phone and hit Wyatt’s contact name as I gather up my things and lock up the front.
“Hey, are you leaving work?” Wyatt asks when he picks up.
“I am, what are you up to?”
“Driving to Greensboro to have dinner with Willa, why?”
My heart sinks and I feel my smile deflate a little.
“Oh, um, no reason.”
“Why do you sound disappointed? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah everything’s fine. Sorry to bother you!” I cringe, hearing the fake happiness in my voice.
If I can hear it, I know Wyatt can too.
“Lucille. You are an awful liar.”
I groan as I start my car. “You’re actually not the first person to tell me that today.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I just . . . I don’t want to go home. And I thought . . . I thought maybe we could hang out.”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Not anymore.”
Wyatt huffs a laugh and I smile a little.
