Page 92 of Handle Me

She was worried about this getting weird. Maybe I wasn’t completely out of her system, either. That was probably wishful thinking. “Come in. I know she wanted to meet you.”

“Ok, as long as you don’t mind.”

I got out of the car and was halfway around the car to open her door before I realized what I was doing. My brain knew things were over between us, but it seemed the rest of me was having a hard time catching up. I shoved the uncomfortable thought deep inside me and trudged the last few steps to her door, and opened it.

“It’s a low seat,” I mumbled, trying to come up with an excuse for my gallantry.

“Thanks.” She took the hand I offered, and a pulse of electricity shot through my skin at her touch. Her breath caught, and I knew she felt it, too. As she climbed out of the car, her hair fell in front of her face, a curtain of chestnut locks that hid her expression. She pulled away as soon as she was on her feet, but the heat between us was palpable. Our bodies hummed with the unspoken tension we’d both felt all day. The air crackled with energy as we stood there, silently daring each other to make a move.

“Better get inside,” she said softly.

“Yeah.” I forced myself to swallow the words on the tip of my tongue.

I’m sorry.

I miss you.

Give me another chance.

There was no point. I’d fucked up, and I would spend the rest of my life regretting letting her go.

We walked silently to the house. As soon as I opened the front door, the rich smell of tomato sauce hit me.

“Shit,” I muttered.

“I made your favorite,” my mum called from the kitchen, her voice growing closer with each word, “and I know you hate it when I surprise you, but—”

She rounded the corner and cut-off mid-sentence when she spotted us standing there.

“Oh, Anders, I am so sorry.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “I should have called first.”

“It’s okay.” I put a hand on Lola’s back, tipping my head toward her. “This is Lola. She needed my help with something.”

Lola jumped forward like she’d been bitten by a snake. She covered it with a wide smile and held out a hand. “I’m so happy to meet you, Mrs. Stone.”

“It’s Rachel.” Mum bypassed Lola’s hand and went in for a hug. I stood by, rubbing my hand over my hair. “I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Oh, um...” Lola glanced at me.

“Lola isn’t staying. I was just taking her to her hotel.”

“Hotel?” Mum said, looking between the two of us. “So, you two aren’t...”

“No!” we both said at the same time.

“Anders is teaching me how to drive,” Lola explained quickly. “I just bought my first car.”

Mum continued to study us with a maternal suspicion that made me nervous. “Have you eaten?”

“I’ll probably grab some room service.”

“That’s silly. It’s late, and there is plenty of food.” It wasn’t an invitation. It was an order. “Stay, and I’ll tell you embarrassing stories about Anders when he was a kid.”

“Now that is tempting.” Lola flashed me a grin, and I found myself hoping she would say yes.

“It’s up to you,” I said carefully.

Lola looked back at my mom. “I’d love to stay. Need any help?”