Page 25 of Secret Love

“I’m Tru.” I smile and then look at Sadie, who’s looking at me with interest.

She reaches out and shakes my hand. “Tru,” she says, her eyes lighting up with her smile. “It is really great to meet you. I’m Sadie.” She nods as she looks at me, and it’s almost like she wants to say more, but she just stands there smiling. “Weston,” she calls, glancing over her shoulder. “Come meet my new friend,Tru.”

Weston’s eyebrows lift and he picks up the little boy and hurries over. I don’t know what to think about this star treatment, but they seem really nice.

“Hi, Tru,” Weston says, smiling wide. “I’m Weston, and this is Caleb.” My knees get slightly weak because he’s almost as hot as Henley, and I just haven’t been around many men that are this good-looking in such close succession. “Welcome to Silver Hills.”

“Thanks so much,” I say. “Hi, Caleb. You are adorable.”

He gives me a toothy grin and leans his head on his dad’s cheek.

“Eep,” Sadie gasps. “You have a kitten in your sweatshirt. That is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Okay, it’s official. Can we be friends?” She laughs. “I mean, if that’s okay with you.”

I laugh, too happy and surprised to do anything but stutter, “Y-yes, please.”

“Caleb, look at the kitty,” Sadie says.

When he realizes there’s a tiny kitten in my shirt, he starts bouncing with excitement. I unzip my sweatshirt a little bit so he can pet Earl, and Earl’s eyes drift shut in contentment.

“He likes to sleep,” I tell them. “Maybe that’s normal for kittens? This is my?—”

“You should come to our house for a barbecue,” Sadie blurts out. She presses her fingers over her lips. “I promise I’m not a complete weirdo. Only slightly.” She holds up her fingers to show how slight. “But say yes. It’ll be so fun.”

“I’d…yes, I’d love to.”

“Amazing.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and hands it to me to put my number in. Once I do, she looks at her phone and then smiles at Weston. “Tru Seymour,” she says, nodding. “I like that name.”

“Great name,” Weston agrees.

I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something, but again…I have so few friends, what do I know about these things? I’m stunted in this area.

“I don’t even know what to do with all this niceness,” I finally say, laughing.

“Friday night, seven. I’ll text our address. We’ll introduce you to some of our friends, and you can bring the kitten if you’d like,” Sadie says.

“Okay. I’ll be there. Can’t wait.” Does that sound too eager? I think it does, but they seem even more eager than me if that’s possible.

Weston tugs Sadie into his side, making me swoon even harder, and Sadie remembers the napkins. She waves them, reaching up to wipe a bit of chocolate off of Caleb’s cheek.

“Here’s that unicorn donut. You sure you don’t want something to drink with that?” Clara asks.

“I’ll come in another time for that Lunar Latte. I’m obsessed with Lavender Lattes, but I’ve gotta pace myself.” I hold up the unicorn donut and laugh.

“I’ll be here.” Clara leans against the counter, smiling. She looks at Caleb wistfully. “I swear he’s bigger every time I see him.”

“I know. It’s crazy how fast he’s growing.” Sadie gives me an apologetic look. “I wish we could chat longer, but we’ve got to get him to bed. He seems angelic right now, but lately when he doesn’t get to bed on time, he wakes up extra early and is ahandful.”

“Oh no,” I say. “It’s hard to imagine him being anything but angelic, but I trust you.” I wave at Caleb. “Have a good night. It was wonderful meeting all of you.”

“See you Friday,” Sadie says.

I nod, unable to contain my excited smile.

Weston, Sadie, and Caleb walk out the door and I take a deep breath. Wow. Such nice people in Silver Hills. I’m so glad I decided to explore tonight.

The three women look at me like I must be a celebrity. One is lowering her phone. I’m pretty sure she went snap-happy with Weston so close.

I glance back at Clara. “You’ve made my night. I’ll be back…probably more often than you want.”

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