Page 55 of Stay With Me

“What’re you sayin’?” I keep my expression blank so I don’t give any of my own secrets away, but if I’ve learned anything over the years, she’s always aware of things before everyone else.

She gives me one of her knowing smirks and shrugs. “Don’t let her get away now that you finally have her.”

I blink a few times as if that’ll change the words she just blurted out. Maybe tonight it could’ve been a little obvious we were acting a bit friendlier than usual, but how in the world does she know I’ve wanted her? I’d never told anyone and pretty sure it wasn’tthatobvious if Magnolia didn’t even know.

Before I have the chance to ask her, Mallory comes over and asks her questions about the leftover desserts, and then they leave to put them away. My eyes scan the room for Magnolia, who’s chatting with my dad and laughing.

“Can I get out of this costume now?” I grumble to my mom, who’s sweeping. I could hardly drive in it, let alone help them pick up this mess.

“Oh, lemme grab a picture for the scrapbook first! Magnolia, Mallory! Stand next to Tripp.”

Just great.Now there’s going to be photographic evidence of this humiliation.

They stand on each side and wrap an arm around me before Mom instructs us to smile. Once she’s gotten a few shots, I stare down at Magnolia. A bright smile is plastered on her face as she tightens her fingers on my waist. After a few more clicks of the camera, she looks up at me, and her smile widens even more.

“Perfect! Can’t wait to get these printed!” Mom gushes, and Mallory nudges me before walking off.

“I’m gonna change out of this, and then we can go once everything’s cleaned up,” I tell Magnolia.

“Sounds good.”

I give her arm a little squeeze before moving toward the bathroom. Luckily, I was able to wear jeans and a T-shirt underneath, so I didn’t have to bring any extra clothes with me.

Once I help Dad put away the DJ booth and tables and The Lodge is put back together, we say our goodbyes. Magnolia and I didn’t make any plans beyond the Halloween party, so I rack my brain for what to do before taking her home.

“You wanna go for a drive?” I ask before shifting my truck into gear.

“In the dark?”

“You afraid?” I muse.

“No, just…cautiously aware. There are murderers in the dark.”

I grab her hand and pull it close to my mouth before dropping a kiss along her knuckles. “I promise to keep you safe.”

Chapter Twelve

Magnolia

Every inch of my body is on fire as Tripp holds my hand and drives us out of town. I had the best time tonight even if we couldn’t really talk. It was still fun to see him interacting with the little kids and being playful. His dinosaur costume was a huge hit, and I couldn’t stop laughing at how silly he looked. It’s a side of Tripp I haven’t seen in a long time, and I hope it stays. The go-with-the-flow and letting loose parts of him that initially attracted me to him are why I crushed on him so hard in high school. Add to that his little flirty comments and how he always got me out of sticky situations, it’s no wonder I was a goner for him.

But then Billy died, and those parts of him did, too.

I knew the real Tripp was still inside him somewhere, and I’d wanted to be the person to bring him back to life if he’d let me.

“Thanks for bringin’ me along tonight,” I say after a few minutes of silence. Darkness surrounds us, but the dashboard lighting reflects off his eyes. “It was a ton of fun even if those kids could run circles around us.”

His face softens with a smile and he squeezes my hand. “Thanks for sayin’ yes to going with me.”

Before I respond, Tripp pulls his truck over to the side of theroad. There’s no oncoming traffic, but being surrounded by dark shadows makes me nervous.

“What’re we doin’?” I glance around, making sure the door is locked. On a normal day, I’m positive I could take on a sociopathic murderer, but I’m in a short dress and heels, so tonight I’d be at a disadvantage.

“Figured it was time to teach you how to drive a stick shift.” He adjusts the bench seat, moving us all the way back.

My lips curve up in surprise. “Wait, what?”

“You don’t know how, right?”