Page 122 of Still Love You

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Silas

I've texted and called her at least twenty times since I left and haven't heard a word from her. By now, her parents have talked to her and explained that they basically ordered me not to tell her, but Willow will still say I should've told her. I'm angry with her parents for putting me in that position. They knew she'd find out eventually so why hide it from her?

My phone dings with a text. It's from Willow, asking me to come outside. It's ten o'clock. I'm surprised she's here this late.

I go downstairs. My mom and Martin see me and both look at me like they're afraid to say anything. When I got home earlier I was on edge and snapped at them when they asked me what I wanted for dinner. I ended up skipping dinner and listening to music in my room, falling asleep for a couple hours.

"Sorry for earlier," I say as I pass by my mom and Martin.

"Where are you going?" my mom asks.

"I'm not sure," I answer, because I'm not. I don't know if Willow wants to talk here or go somewhere. I don't know why she wants to see me. Does she just want to talk or is she going to try to break up with me again?

When I get outside, she's standing by my truck, wearing denim shorts, a white tank top, and flip flops that show off her bright pink toes. She looks adorable, but also hot. Her tank top fits tight against her body and when my eyes lower, I can see the outline of her navel ring.

"Can we go somewhere?" she asks, bringing my eyes back to her face. Her eyes look puffy, like she's been crying.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere but the farm."

I walk over to my truck and she steps aside as I open the door. It's the driver's side door, so she looks confused when I lift her up into the truck and set her down on the seat.

"I'm driving? I don't feel like driving."

"You're not driving. Now scoot over."

She's staring at me, surprised that I'm ordering her around like this. She probably thought I'd let her take the lead, but I can't be that way with her. Not now. Whenever she feels like things are out of control, she needs someone to step in and take over. It makes her feel safe and calms her down.

"Where are we going?" she asks as I take off down the street.

"To get some dinner. I haven't eaten since this morning and I'm starving. Did you eat already?"

"Just a few bites of pasta. I wasn't hungry."

We ride in silence during the ten-minute drive to the restaurant. I'm not ready to get into whatever she wants to tell me and she doesn't seem to be either. We'll get some food, then find a quiet place to talk.

The restaurant I take her to is a local fast food place that's open until midnight. You order at the window and eat outside. Willow and I used to go here a lot back in high school. Tonight the place is empty, probably because it's cool and breezy and people don't want to sit outside. I park, then go around to Willow's side, open the door and lift her out.

"Why do you keep doing that?" she asks as I set her down.

I ignore her question. It's part of my take-charge approach, as is my taking her hand and walking her to the order window.

Larry's working tonight. He's the owner; an old fat guy with thinning gray hair and a ketchup-stained t-shirt. He always pretends to be grumpy, but he's actually a nice guy.

"We'll have two number threes, one with everything, the other with one squirt of mustard, two squirts of ketchup, four—"

"Yeah, yeah. Four pickle slices and a very thin slice of tomato." He waves his order pad at us. "Where have you two been? Haven't seen you in years."

I can't believe he remembers us, and remembers Willow's hamburger order. That's one damn good memory.

"I was away at college," Willow says. She points to me. "And he was volunteering overseas."

He punches our order into his ancient cash register. "You married yet? Got any kids?"

I smile at Willow and yank her into my side. "Not married, but we just got engaged. Kids are a couple years off, but Willow wants at least three, don't you, honey?" I lean down and kiss her forehead.

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