Page 66 of Hope After Loss

“You’re adorable too.”

His hand comes up and clasps my finger. Then, he nips the tip with his teeth.

Oh my.

We hold each other’s gaze for a few moments before he clears his throat, releases me, and puts the truck in drive. I close my eyes and let the rumble of the engine lull me to sleep.

My hair is gently swept away from my ear, and warm breath tickles my neck.

“Hey, sleeping beauty, we’re here.”

I blink my eyes open, and Weston’s face fills my vision.

“Mmm,” I mumble.

“Anna, are you awake, or am I going to have to carry you inside too?”

That gets my attention.

I sit up and look out the windshield at my front porch. “Oh, sorry. I must have dozed off.”

He chuckles. “It’s okay. Do you have your keys?”

I fish them out of my purse and hand them to him.

He turns off the engine and opens the driver’s door.

“Stay here. I’ll get the door open and come back for you two,” he says.

I nod my appreciation and watch as he sprints to unlock the front door and click on the porch light.

Then, he returns and opens the back door to unlatch Kaela, and he carries her inside.

I’m still a bit dazed as I gather my purse and the diaper bag. When I exit the truck, Weston is back by my side.

“I laid her in the crib and pulled the door slightly closed. Here, let me have that,” he says as he tugs the diaper bag off my shoulder.

We walk together to the front door, and he sets the diaper bag on the floor inside.

The air is filled with tension as we stand face-to-face.

“I’d better get in there,” I whisper. “Thank you again, Weston. It’s been a long time since I laughed so much,” I say.

“It’s probably the weed.”

That causes me to laugh.

“I’m glad you had a good time. I did too. Baby Duck is a fun date,” he says as he brings a hand up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.

His eyes find mine.

And he leans forward. My eyes flutter shut with anticipation, and when his lips touch mine, I panic and step back.

“I can’t,” I whisper. “I’m sorry. I just can’t.”

He starts to say something, but I turn and race up the steps and through the door. I shut it behind me before he can speak.

I stand there, frozen.