Page 26 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)
“I—uh, I lost my grandpa when I was 12. It hurt a lot, and I cried a lot. I still miss him. But—” My voice cracks. “... I know he loves me and I hold on to all our favorite memories here.” Pointing to my heart. I never like talking about him. It hurts too much even after all these years.
“I miss my mommy a lot.” A single tear falls from Sadie’s eyes and she wipes it away.
I crouch down to her level and ask if I can give her a hug.
She nods her head and I wrap my arms around her and she rests her head on my shoulder.
I look up at Luke and he wipes his eyes and adjusts his baseball cap.
After a few moments, I break the silence, “How are you feeling right now, Sadie?”
“Hungry.” She lets out a small giggle.
“Alright, well I think your Daddy is waiting for us. Does he cook well?”
“Meatloaf is his favorite!”
I am so full, my belly hurts. We laughed at Sadie’s jokes and the lame jokes I said made her laugh harder than she should have.
Sadie is in their living room watching a Disney movie as I help Luke clear the table and do the dishes.
“That was the best meatloaf I have ever had.” I pass Luke the plates as he loads them in the dishwasher.
“I learned how to make it in college. I couldn’t eat another taco from Taco Bell. ”
“I love Taco Bell so much I don’t think I’d stop eating there but I would for this meatloaf.”
“Hmmm.” Luke starts the dishwasher and washes his hands.
I hand him the kitchen towel so he can dry off.
“It’s getting late, so I’m going to get going.
Thank you for dinner and I enjoyed spending time with you two.
” I don’t let him protest as I begin walking to his living room to let Sadie know I’m leaving.
She’s laying on the ottoman with her head propped up with her hands kicking her feet behind her. “Dayna, did you know she’s actually a princess in Sugar Rush?”
“No way! ”
“Yeah but she would rather be a racer.”
Luke walks in and he has his truck keys in his hands. I turn to Sadie and tell her I’m leaving. “I really enjoyed having dinner with you and getting to see your awesome room.”
“We’re having spaghetti tomorrow. Can you run here after you clear your mind again?
” Luke and I exchange looks. “You know I’d love to, but I have a meeting tomorrow night.
” Sadie looks disappointed in my answer.
Believe me, I’d skip my meeting if I can hang out with the two of them.
“That’s okay, it’s not as good as meatloaf.
” Sadie whispers to me and that makes me chuckle. Her witty comments are my favorite.
“As fun as it’s been, I’m going to go home. Thank you again both so much.”
“Sadie, please go put your shoes on, we’re going to take Dayna home.”
“Luke, you don’t have to, it’s fine, really.”
“I’d feel a lot better knowing you got home safely.
Please, let me drive you home. It’s not up for debate.
” A few minutes pass and Sadie has her shoes on and her sweater in hand.
“I’m ready!” I look at Luke trying to get him to change his mind but he is walking towards the door with Sadie by his side.
He is kind of stubborn but he means well.
I follow the two as he is standing in the foyer.
Luke unlocks his truck with his key fob and opens Sadie’s door for her. I reach to open the passenger side and he pulls my hand back gently. “I got it.”
He opens the door and I step up into his truck. It smells like black ice with Citrus and Pine. Luke rounds the bumper and gets in his truck. He plugs his phone in and surprisingly clicks on the recently added playlist and Drops of Jupiter starts playing.
My lips let a small gasp slip and Luke stares at me as if he remembers our first kiss too.
I have always loved this song. “I heard it the other night, and I added it back to my playlist.” He buckles his seatbelt and turns on his truck.
I give him directions to my house and I’m secretly wishing he can drive slow because I don’t want this night to end.
The second song on his playlist is not what I thought I’d hear tonight.
Right on cue, Sadie starts singing along to Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” How can you not sing along?
This instantly makes Luke grin from ear to ear. “I’m raising a little girl, she needs to know who the queen of country pop is.” He raises the volume and Sadie sings louder. Can this man get any more attractive? I tell him to turn right and my house is the second house on the right.
The song is almost done, and I’d hate to leave in the middle of a song. He puts the truck in park and the song is coming to an end.
He lowers the volume, “This night has been full of surprises, you two are awesome.” I unbuckle and I reach over to the door handle.
Luke places his hand on my bare knee, I stare at his hand and he says, “Wait.” That sent goosebumps up to my chest. My nipples stiffen against my sports bra and I remember I’m wearing Luke’s flannel.
He gets out of his truck and opens the passenger side door.
I step down from his truck with my water bottle in hand.
“I almost forgot, you’ll want your shirt back.” I set my water bottle down and begin to unbutton the flannel he lent me. He moves his hand to stop mine. “It’s fine, keep it.” He rubs my hand with his thumb and I give him a gentle squeeze, “See you tomorrow, Luke.”
I waved back to Sadie, unsure if she saw me, Luke’s truck windows have a dark tint. I get to my porch and I hear Luke’s truck rumble. I wave before I walk inside my house.