Page 52 of Take My Love

“No, his looked way bigger. Like save people from a burnin’ house bigger.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Don’t be jealous.”

“I’m not.” I roll my eyes because I’m arguing with a drunken Posey who yesterday got pissed when Emily was admiringmybiceps. “How old is he?”

“Thirty-five.”

“That’s a little old for ya, ain’t it?”

“It’s only seven years.”

“Yeah, but it’s interestin’ that he’s still single at his age. Unless he’s been divorced.”

“Okay, Mr. Nosy.” She huffs. “He’s been married before, yes. So at least I know he can commit. Unlike your ex…”

“Damn, low blow.”

“I’m just sayin’! Don’t knock him down until you actually get to know him better. Especially since I found you a banger of a date and I had to get my own with no help from you.”

“I would’ve but you were glued to Jamie’s hip.”

It also wasn’t easy with my sisters there, analyzing my every move.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. Her brother seems cool enough for a weddin’ date.”

“Are you gonna see him before that since it’s still weeks away?”

“Yeah, hopefully. Jamie says his work schedule can be hard to deal with since they’ll work twenty-four-hour or forty-eight-hour shifts. I guess that’s why his wife left. She hated it.”

“And you don’t think you’ll have an issue with that?”

“No, I like my independence. And this way, we can get to know each other slowly. I’m in no rush.”

When we arrived at the truck, I open the passenger side doorand help her inside. She stumbles a bit, but finally manages to get her seat belt on.

“It was fun to hang with your sisters too,” she says once I’m buckled in the driver’s seat. “I can tell they really love you.”

I smile, nodding. “Yeah, we’re close and they’ve always been overly protective. They weren’t a fan of Aundrea’s though.”

She giggles with a hiccup, leaning her body toward the window. “I knew I liked ’em.”

Pulling onto the road, I drive us toward Posey’s and soon the streetlights are behind us in the distance. By the time we arrive, she’s passed out.

Instead of trying to wake her and make her walk, I carefully unbuckle and lift her in my arms. Unlocking the front door one handed is a feat but I manage it without dropping her.

She holds on tight around my shoulders, nuzzles her face against my neck, and sends a shiver down my spine. The Posey I know now—the sober version—would never willingly hang onto me like this, so I secretly enjoy it while I can.

“Silas?” she whispers when I pull back her covers and gently set her down.

“Yeah, it’s me. You’re okay. Just puttin’ you into bed.”

“Can you take my dress off first? It’s itchy.” Her eyes are half-closed as she slumps over.

“Uh…sure. Do you want me to get somethin’ else for you to wear?”

“Just a T-shirt is fine. In my closet.”