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My hand is still on her lower back, and she’s leaning into my chest. It feels great, but her uncle Bob interrupts us.

“Tabitha? I never expected to see you here.”

Tabby stiffens and pulls away. “You should put Betty Pepper in charge of attendance.”

“Is that so?” Her uncle chuckles and turns to me. “Good to see you here, and together?”

“Chad gave me a ride.” Tabby answers for me. I don’t like that reason, but after last night, I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand. “I’m keeping Coco for Emberly. She wanted to come.”

“Marjorie will like that. It’s good to grow up in the faith.”

Tabby’s fur is bristling, and I try to think of a way to get us out of here before her uncle ruins our non-date. “Did you want to get this for Emberly?”

I hold up the rolling pin piece, but something flashes in Tabby’s eyes. “No, I think she’d like this one better.”

She holds up a framed piece, more toward her uncle than me, but I can still read it. It says, Whatever, bitch. My lips tighten as I fight a smile.

Her uncle is unfazed. “You might wait until Colette is a little older.”

“Look who made it!” Betty Pepper walks up, acting surprised to see us.

“Cut the crap, BP.”

“Tabitha,” her uncle says sharply, and I do laugh then.

“I have to say, Tabitha.” The look on Betty’s face is pure condescension. “It’s nice to see you with someone who’ll keep you on the right path.”

“The only path I’m on is finding Coco.” She storms off, leaving me behind with the two church l

eaders.

“You’ve got your work cut out for you.” Betty nods, watching her go.

“Lord knows I tried.” Her uncle concedes.

“I wouldn’t change a thing.” Both their mouths are open when I leave them to catch up to my date.

Damn straight, it’s a date.

Coco’s head is against my arm as I drive them home a few hours later. “I’m pretty sure she rode every ride out there ten times.” I glance down at her and see she’s sleeping.

“They were pretty short rides.” Tabby still seems annoyed, which I don’t like.

It doesn’t take long to get to her house, and I put the truck in park. “Want me to carry her inside?”

“I can get her if you can handle all her crap.” The cab is filled with three giant stuffed animals, an oversized unicorn, a teddy bear, and a monkey—but no goldfish.

I wait as she unbuckles the little girl and pulls her against her shoulder, walking slowly to the front door. I grab the booster seat as well and make my way carefully up the front walk.

Once inside, I see her coming out of what I assume is her bedroom and closing the door without a sound.

“I think you got the easier job.” My voice is a whisper. “I can’t see my feet.”

That gets me a hint of a smile. It’s gone in a blink, and she takes the booster seat and unwraps the monkey from my neck.

“It was sweet of you to win all these for her.”

“It’s kind of hard to tell her no when she wants something.” I put the unicorn beside the couch and the teddy bear in front of the bookcase.