Page 74 of Tiny's Law

Maybe she’s on edge because she thinks Evie is going to show up at any minute? I told her she has nothing to worry about, that it would just be us tonight, but maybe she doesn’t believe me?

After dinner finishes up, Kourtney excuses herself to the bathroom, and I help my mom bring everything back into the kitchen.

“She’s so lovely, Nate,” mom smiles excitedly. I grin back at her, not wanting her to catch on that something’s not right.

“She is.” I lean my back against the counter next to her and cross my arms over my chest as well as my ankles.

“She’s a bit quiet, though. The way you’ve described her, I would’ve imagined her to be more of a talker.”

“I think maybe she’s just nervous.”

A minute later, Kourtney steps into the kitchen, fiddling her fingers together nervously. I eye them skeptically and then try to meet her eyes with mine. It’s almost like she’s avoiding my gaze on purpose.

“Thank you so much for dinner, Emily. It was delicious. I’m sorry to say I’m not feeling the best, so if you don’t mind, I think I should get going.”

Mom spins on her heel and quickly dries her hands with the towel. “Oh no, dear. Is everything okay?”

Mom crosses the kitchen, and whether it be her medical background or just her motherly instinct, she reaches forward and presses the back of her hand against Kourtney’s forehead.

“Just a headache, but if I don’t take medicine and lay down within the next thirty minutes, I’m afraid it’ll turn into a full-blown migraine.”

“Oh no. We can’t let that happen. Nathan, why don’t you use my car to take her home?”

“I do own a cage, Ma. But thank you.” Walking over to the shelf near the garage door that holds all my keys, I select the right ones and eavesdrop on my mom’s hushed whispers behind me.

I know without a doubt she’s talking about me just by how quietly she’s speaking. Kourtney’s soft giggle is the only thing that forces my shoulders to relax.

Turning to the women, I smile when I see the leftovers my mom has packaged up for Kourtney to take home and hold the door open for her.

I roll my eyes as I watch my mom follow us out through the garage and even halfway down the driveway as I reverse the truck away from my house.

“Sorry about Mom. I know she can be a lot.”

“She’s lovely,” Kourtney says softly. A smile pulls at my lips when I realize they both said the same thing about each other.

I reach over and lace my fingers with hers, guiding our hands so I can press my lips to her fingertips. “Sure you’re okay, baby? I feel like I’ve asked you a few times tonight, and you keep saying ‘yeah,’ but I’m worried this is one of those times when a woman says she’s fine, but you’re supposed to instinctively know she’s not fine.”

Kourtney softly laughs. “No, Tiny. I just have a headache. It was a long day at the office.”

I’m having a hard time believing her. She says that, but the sincerity doesn't reach her eyes. Well, that and she won't even look in my eyes. So I don’t think she’s telling the truth. I mean, she sure as hell could have a headache. I don’t doubt that, but something else is wrong.

In this instance, I hate how close we live because, within minutes, I’m pulling into her driveway. Grabbing her bag from the floor, she reaches over the center console and presses a kiss to my lips.

“Do you want me to stay with you? Massage your head, maybe?” I ask hopefully, probably on the borderline of sounding pathetic.

She shakes her head with a sad smile. “No thanks. I’m going to take my medicine and put on a cold wrap. Hopefully, I’ll be out within minutes.”

“You sure?”

Kourtney rolls her eyes and winces. “Yes, Tiny. I’m sure. Go home and spend some time alone with your mom. I can tell you mean the world to her. Trust me, I wish my mom came to visit more.”

Her sad smile has my brows furrowing. Does she miss her parents? I’d bet she does. She's told me many stories about how close she is to them. If I didn’t see my mom a few times a year, I would feel the same.

Is that what’s wrong? My gut tells me there’s more to it than that though.

“Promise you’ll call me if you need anything?”

She kisses me again before turning for her door. “I promise.”

---