Page 21 of An Unexpected Turn
I chuckled as we stepped outside into the parking lot.
“School is school, for sure. Thanks for staying late to come to the workshop.”
“Dad said it would be good for me, and it would be good for you if people came.”
“I see,” I said, smiling when I spotted Jake’s truck in the parking lot.
“How did it go?” Jake asked as Mike climbed into his passenger seat.
“Good,” was all Mike replied. “It actually wasn’t too bad. You didn’t have to worry. Kids showed up.”
I spotted a blush on Jake’s cheeks as a grin split his mouth.
“I thought I’d help with butts in the seats.”
It would’ve been helpful if this guy could’ve stopped being nice and so damn attractive, even a little.
“But seriously, I’m glad it went well. Mike seems okay, but I know he’s still getting used to things,” he whispered, glancing back at his son. Mike was already glued to his phone, not looking back at us.
“As I told you, usually they all get something out of it. And he even told me that he’d met new kids today, so I’m glad it was worth it for him.”
“I had no doubt, if you planned it.”
There was something in how his eyes held mine that made a shiver roll down my spine. I almost forgot where I was and who he was. Getting lost in his gorgeous eyes was dangerous territory, but tempted me all the same.
“Well, I better go. Thanks again ...”
I turned too fast, the one granola bar I’d had before running out the door this morning no longer sustaining me as the parking lot spun around me.
“Shit. Peyton, are you okay?”
I blinked and found myself in Jake’s arms, worry crinkling his brow as he peered down at me.
“Yeah, I didn’t really eat today, and I guess my body is telling me that wasn’t a good idea.”
His full lips pulled into a frown as he shook his head.
“You can’t take care of these kids without taking care of yourself first. I should tell your uncle on you so he forces you to eat in the morning.” His blinding smile caused butterflies to swirl around my empty stomach, but that reminder of Uncle Keith should have been enough for me to push off his chest and step back. Maybe dizziness was to blame for me not moving quickly, but as I breathed him in, milking this glorious second for all it was worth, that was too big of a lie to even tell myself.
“I promise I won’t do that again.” I let out a nervous laugh as I eased away. “I’ll have a cupcake in the car before I drive home. I’m fine. I swear I’m not usually the dopey girl who forgets to eat.”
He smiled, triggering a weakness in my knees that had nothing to do with what I did or didn’t eat today.
“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?”
“I am. You don’t have to worry—or tell on me.” I shot him a grin as I backed away toward my car. “I need to do a better job of keeping up my strength before I move in to my condo next weekend. I swear I won’t skip lunch again.”
“That’s right.” Jake nodded. “Congratulations.”
The air was always charged with something I couldn’t pinpoint when Jake and I were together. Whenever we parted ways, a slew of confusing emotions swirled through me, the most puzzling ones regret and guilt.
His eyes held mine, still so blue and bottomless, luring me in until that familiar point when one of us would back away.
“Bye, Mike!” I called out, even though I knew he wouldn’t hear me. “Take care, Mr. Russo.”
His lips twitched into a smile.
“Take care, Ms. Miller.”
