Page 60 of Safe With Me

“Yeah, Dad. Just a long week of work.”

“Guess what?” Keely asked, pulling on the hem of my T-shirt.

“What?” I said. The wide smile my sister always had for me eased the turbulence in my head.

“Lila’s here!”

“Here?” I squinted at my sister. “Like, right now?”

She nodded. “We met Aunt Claudia and Jason for coffee at that new place, and Lila was with them.”

I held in a laugh at my sister’s widened eyes.

“I told her she could come here for Dad’s barbecue. She didn’t have her car, so we brought her home with us and you can just drive her home later since she lives so close to you. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Take a breath, K,” I said, smoothing the loose hairs that had escaped from her ponytail away from her forehead.

“I can’t help it. I’m so excited!”

“She made it kind of hard to say no.”

I craned my neck to Lila’s voice. With a short black sundress and her hair slicked back in a ponytail, her full mouth stretched into a smile, she was the beautiful vision I needed right now.

It was just like that night I’d had a shitty day at work and all I’d wanted was her. I’d hoped I’d managed to keep that mostly hidden from her then, but nothing would get past my family today.

Keeping how I felt about Lila hidden had become taxing as fuck, and I was sick of doing it.

Plus, I was terrible at it.

“I don’t doubt it. Glad my sister ambushed you with an invitation.”

“She didn’t ambush me. She made a good offer.” Lila smiled down at my sister. “I figured you wouldn’t mind driving me home since I’m on the way.”

Her wide smile almost made me forget the lousy mood I had been dragged into only minutes ago.

“I’m glad you’re both here,” Dad said with an easy smile as he looked between us. “I see Lila every day, but it’s nice to spend an evening with my son.” Dad slapped my shoulder.

“You act like you didn’t see me two days ago.”

“That’s different,” he said. “I saw you walking around the block while you were on duty. Today I actually get to spend some time with you.” He looped an arm around my shoulder.

“Are you getting sentimental in your old age, Dad?” I patted his chest.

“I’m not old,” he said, scowling back at me. “Ask your sergeant and chief who kicked their asses in handball this week.”

“Hey, Mike.” Peyton pulled me into a big hug. “I didn’t get to see you this week, so I can be glad to see you, right?”

“Sure, Peyton.” I kissed her cheek. She was fourteen years younger than my father and had been my high school guidance counselor before she became my stepmother. I could still talk to her about anything, and she’d listen without judgment, even about my mother. I’d need time to shake off the phone call, but the usual knot in my stomach had already loosened being here.

The distraction of Lila was an unexpected but welcome bonus. For once, my fixation on her would be helpful.

I took a seat at their patio table, watching as Keely ran up to my father, pulling at his arm until he leaned over for her to whisper in his ear. Whatever she said made him laugh, the eyes we shared crinkling in the corners as his chest rumbled. He kissed her cheek and tickled her side until she giggled.

My father was a great dad. He was patient, stern when he needed to be, but he’d always enjoyed his kids.

“Are you okay?” Lila whispered, leaning close enough for me to catch the vanilla scent of her perfume that had haunted my dreams and most of my fantasies lately. “You look like something is bothering you.”

I shook my head. “Long story, but I’m fine.” I nudged her side, my smile growing as hers deepened. “Glad my sister and stepmother kidnapped you.”

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