Page 37 of Wood You Knot

I parked at the curb out front, close to the door that led to the apartments. Turning off the ignition to my truck, silence filled the cab, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable kind—it was the charged kind. Though she was masking it well, I could feel her attraction to me just as acutely as I felt mine to her.

It’d started with the little exhale she’d let out when I’d first climbed into the truck beside her, the pretty little blush that coloured her cheeks, and the way she’d tense any time I happened to move my foot to brake at stoplights, like the feel of me against her was affecting her just as much as it’d affected me.

“Did you have a good time?” I asked at the same time she said, “Thanks for the ride home, Nix.”

We both paused, then laughed awkwardly.

“Yeah, I did have a good time,” she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear as she stole another glance at me. “I haven’t had a night out in…I can’t remember how long.” She wrinkled her nose a bit, as if struggling to recall the last time.

“Does…Daphne’s dad not take her very often?”

“Try never,” Sage said, giving me a self-deprecating smile. “He isn’t involved in our lives.”

“Oh, I thought…never mind.” I shook my head.

“If you’re referring to my failed engagement, he wasn’t Daphne’s bio dad.” Sage bit her bottom lip, averting her gaze like she was ashamed of that.

“No judgment from me. Both those guys lost out on an amazing woman—and a great kid,” I told her. Her eyes shot back to me, and I could tell my words affected her.

She gave me a watery smile. “Thanks, Nix.”

“Just speaking the truth,” I assured her. Our gazes remained locked, and something potent passed between us. Sage’s tongue darted out to lick her lips, and I almost leaned forward to kiss her.

Something held me back, though. I knew it wasn’t the right time, not yet. Her eyes went to my lips—like she knew I wanted to kiss her, and maybe wanted to kiss me too. But then, she drew in a solidifying breath before the walls shot up. She shook her head as if clearing it and gave me a small smile.

“I should probably go inside; it’s late,” Sage said, reaching for the door. She opened it and went to climb out, then paused and looked at me over her shoulder. “Again, thank you for the ride.”

“No problem. I’ll see you around.”

I let her climb out—even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. I watched to make sure she got to the door safely, though I wasn’t overly concerned. It was safe in Hartwood Creek, and aside from the occasional issues with tourists, we had a low crime rate. Not to mention, the police station was right next door. Sage was probably in the safest place in town.

Still, I didn’t drive away until I saw the light in her apartment come on.

* * *

Just as I predicted, Tabitha was really feeling her night of overindulgence the next morning. Parker took pity on her, and after setting her up in their room with a large glass of water and some Tylenol, he came downstairs to cook breakfast for the kids.

Bryson hadn’t woken up yet, and Bella and Brielle were in the living room, watching one of their favourite television programs while I sat at the kitchen island, stealing a cup of coffee from my brother.

Sleep had been futile for me. I’d tossed and turned all night, unable to get those green eyes out of my head.

“You didn’t take long to drop Sage off last night,” Parker remarked, taking a bowl down from the cupboard before grabbing the milk and a carton of eggs from the refrigerator.

“Well, I was only dropping her off, and it’s not like she lives far away.” I grunted, taking another sip of coffee.

“You didn’t ask her out?” Parker tossed me a look over his shoulder, like he couldn’t believe I still hadn’t done so.

“The opportunity didn’t exactly come up.” I frowned. “All I did was drive her home.”

Parker laughed. “Lies, you’re just a chickenshit.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I shrugged, sighing. I pushed my hand through my hair, thinking back to our conversation. It wasn’t I was too chicken to ask her out. It was I had realized how difficult it would be for her to just “go out on a date” with me, even before I’d learned that Daphne’s dad wasn’t involved. Now that I had more clarity on her situation, I knew asking her out was going to be even more challenging.

I was also a little hesitant because she’d just broken off an engagement. While I’d never quite gotten there with Lori, I could only imagine how difficult that would be. To have accepted someone’s proposal, only to call things off…something must have happened. Judging by the mistrustful look in her eyes and the walls she’d thrown up, I could take one wild guess on what went wrong there.

Parker shook his head, cracking eggs into the bowl. “Not everything has to be perfect for you to make a move. If you’re waiting for the ideal situation, it’s never going to happen.”

“Gee, thanks for the wise words, bro,” I said dryly, watching as he poured the milk in and knowing there was truth in his advice. The look Parker tossed me over his shoulder suggested he sensed I knew he was right.

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