Page 100 of The Thought of You

Her mother shoots her a stern glare as she takes her seat, and I drape my peacoat over the back of my chair, freeing my flowy top from its cage.

“I mean… not midterms. I meant to say… grocery shopping. I don’t grocery shop until the night before I need something.” Whitney shrinks, then points across Lottie to their other sister. “Good for you for being so diligent, Laurel. Go get ’em.”

Mr. Conrad’s smirk catches my attention, and it’s not because it’s the only movement made after Whitney basically outs herself.

It’s because the mannerism is so familiar. This is exactly where Owen got his smirk. The two men are very similar in appearance, although his father is far smaller in size.

Mrs. Conrad holds up her hand. “We haven’t even gotten to dessert yet. Let’s discuss next week after that.”

Huck stirs in his highchair, and while the attention shifts to him, I take advantage of the distraction and pinch Owen’s leg. His knee bumps the table and draws his mother’s eyes toward him, but he waves her off.

“You are unbelievable,” I hiss in hushed tones. “You lured me in here with delicious food—cheap tactics.”

“You’re the one who came to me, baby.” He winks as he sips from his glass of water, and I’m suddenly so hot, I’d love to pour it all over me.

“Addie, darlin’—what would you like to drink?” Mrs. Conrad gently pats my shoulder and jolts me.

“I, um…” I pause to catch my breath and slowly rise on trembling knees. “I’ll get a water from the kitchen. No need to get up.”

“Nonsense. Make yourself a plate, and I’ll be right back.” She pats my shoulder again and scurries away while I blink at the spread in front of me.

Where do I even begin?

My stomach growls, but no one seems to hear it, other than Owen, anyway.

He reaches for the lasagna and sets it next to my empty plate. “Eat before your stomach eats you.” Pointing to a corner piece, he whispers, “I’d recommend that one. It’s the biggest cut, and you’ll need your strength for what I plan to do to you later.”

I clutch my chest, almost to ensure my heart is still, in fact, beating underneath.

This guy is straight trouble.

Mrs. Conrad returns with a glass of water, and her timing couldn’t be better. I down nearly half of it with my first gulp.

“Hang on…” Lottie pushes her food along her plate, but her focus is solely on me. “You’re the Addie? As in, Addison Lockhart?”

I nod. “You probably saw me running around the homecoming parade a couple weeks ago. And I went to school with Owen.”

She shakes her head. “You’re also the one Owen couldn’t stop staring at during the chili dinner.”

Owen slows his chewing, and when he swallows, his Adam’s apple bobs with seemingly great difficulty.

Lottie snaps her fingers. “Bond was talking about you, and our big brother got so squirrely.”

“When has Owen ever been squirrely?” Whitney teases as she reaches over to wipe drool from Huck’s chin.

“When there’s a pretty girl at stake,” Laurel tosses.

“No way was I squirrely,” Owen says with a wide grin. As he turns to look at me, amusement flits across his green eyes. “At the chili dinner, Lockhart and I weren’t even friends.”

“Well, we’re co-workers,” I quickly add. “I teach English at the high school.”

“Oh?” Bill raises a brow. It’s the first syllable he’s uttered since I sat down, and I can’t tell if it’s a good thing.

“English was my favorite subject,” Mrs. Conrad gushes. “I was such a big fan of Wuthering Heights. I think I read it three times in high school just for fun.”

“Wasn’t that the one with Heathcliff?” Laurel ventures.

“Wow. I’m surprised you know anything other than the name of a disease or a bone,” Lottie teases.

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