Page 63 of Safe With Me

Compared to how tense she’d been when she’d first arrived here, it was nice to see her settle in, or at least not seem to be on edge all the time.

I was proud of how far she’d come—and terrified of what would happen if I pushed for more than just good friends and it didn’t work out.

My mother’s phone call had been a recent reminder of how things could implode with lasting damage if you fell for the wrong person.

I didn’t want to push Lila when she was finally feeling comfortable enough here to enjoy simple things like a couple ofdrinks at a bar or a new coffee shop without the fear I’d always spot in her eyes.

The thought of her enjoying anything with another guy if I didn’t make a move had my hand clenching in a fist at my side before I even realized it.

So, either I’d make her mine, or I’d lose her. This middle ground we’d been skating on wasn’t sustainable, as each day in her presence, I was that much closer to losing my mind.

“I remember how it felt to be the new girl in a town so different from where I used to live,” Peyton said, shooting a smile at my father. “But I was surprised how quickly it became home.”

“It’s different, for sure. But nice. Once I got used to the quiet, it’s peaceful up here.” She flicked her eyes to mine. “It’s taking a while, but I’m finally acclimating to small-town life. And yes, it’s nothing like Philly.” She laughed, easy and carefree. It was my new favorite sound.

“I think it’s very brave to move to a new town on your own. And my husband is much less stressed out since you came, so I am very happy you made it here.” Peyton raised her glass of lemonade.

After we finished dinner and cleaned up, Keely pulled Lila into the house to show off her room and her mother’s “huge bookcase of love books.” I helped Dad clean up the grill and sat back down, feeling my father’s eyes on me but not raising my head.

“If I’m your hesitation, I’m fine with it.”

“Fine with what?” I asked, even though I already knew what he meant, while keeping my eye on the screen door.

“Whether Lila works for me or not, I’m fine if you…like her.”

I lifted a shoulder and took a long pull from my beer bottle. We both knew all the other reasons for my own hesitation, even if I never said them out loud.

“There is nothing more I want in this life than to see my children with someone who makes them happy. And judging by the way you’ve been looking at Lila all afternoon, it’s pretty clear to me that she does. Or she could if you’d stop fighting it.”

He cocked a brow when I finally met his eyes.

“And she, even though I could tell she was kidding, is the first person you’ve let call youMikeyunder the age of seventy in years. So I think there’s something special between the two of you,” Dad joked, but I didn’t laugh with him.

“Listen to me.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “It would be nice to see you both happy together. Love can be great.” His gaze floated toward the back of the house, a smile tilting his lips. “In fact, there’s nothing better. Please don’t let the shitty example your mom and I first showed you keep you from it. I was worried it always would, and I’m grateful to Lila for, hopefully, turning that around.”

“I’m a bad liar, huh?” I said, laughing when my father shook his head at me.

“Let’s just say I hope you have a better poker face with one of your perps.”

He stood, a wide smile spreading over his mouth. “I’ll ask Peyton to bring out dessert, in case either of you decides to make other plans tonight.” Dad popped his brows, and all I could do was laugh.

Maybe it was that simple after all.

“Thanks for the ride home,” Lila said after we told my parents and sister goodbye. “Sorry to make you go out of your way,” she teased as she climbed in and fastened her seat belt.

Usually, I was the one Keely would latch on to for a long goodbye. Today, Lila was her new fixation, and I almost felt sorry for being so smug to my father all these years about being Keely’s favorite. I never thought I’d have to give up that title, atleast until her teenage years, but I understood why she liked Lila so much in such a short amount of time.

Now, it was just a matter of telling Lila how muchIliked her, even though everyone else already knew.

Maybe she knew it too and was afraid to say anything for the same reasons my sweaty palms had slipped against the steering wheel on the short ride from Dad and Peyton’s house to our street.

“It’s a hardship, but you’re welcome. And thanks for your patience tonight with my sister. She’s a pink-sequined ball of love, but she can be a little overwhelming.”

“No way. I love your sister. And your stepmother, for giving me all these books.” She held up a white plastic bag. “I already read the ones in the shopping bag in my closet, and while I have an e-reader, I like actually turning the pages.”

“My father had to build her two bookcases to fit them all.”

“She showed me, and they’re beautiful. You Russo men have talent.”

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