Page 115 of Knox

But Glo had picked up the melody and looked at Kelsey. “My mind said no. My heart said yes…”

Dixie was nodding. “My mind said whoa… My heart felt his caress.”

Yes. She had felt Knox’s caress on her heart. Something pure and right and beautiful.

Hold on, lean in.

She was humming, let the words spill out. “Hold on, lean in. I’d do it right this time, if I could do it all again…”

Her breath caught, and she looked up as Glo nodded, continued playing.

He took my hand, said babe, let’s fly away

To our tomorrows, we’ll start them today

Hold on, lean in

So I will trust you, I’ll give us a try.

Take my love, baby, please don’t let it die

There is no tomorrow, not without you.

Glo finished the song with a lick, and then looked up, grinning. “It’s a start.”

“It’s more than a start,” said Tate. He closed the door with his foot. “It’s good.” He brought the pizza over to the counter. “A new Yankee Belle hit.”

“It’s Kelsey’s song,” said Glo.

“No, it’s—”

“It’s about Knox,” Dixie said, and Kelsey closed her eyes.

“Really,” Tate said quietly.

She couldn’t look at him. Instead she set the guitar down. “It’s not. It’s about…what-ifs, and…I don’t know…”

Tate grabbed a stack of plates. Turned. He wore a dress shirt and a pair of jeans, and the resemblance to Knox that night at the Bulldog could almost knock her over.

What if.

She blew out a breath. “I need some air.” She was heading for the hallway when Tate came over and put his hand on the door. “Not so fast.”

“Tate.”

“Fine. But I’m going with you.” He turned, glanced at the girls. “Don’t—”

“Let anyone in but you. We got it, Captain America,” Glo said as she got up.

“I was going to say don’t eat all the pizza, but that too.” He released the door, and Kelsey opened it.

“Really, I am safe—”

“Yeah, I agree, but humor me,” Tate said. “Besides, I think I know what you need. Follow me.”

He led her toward the stairwell at the end of the hall, then walked them up more flights to the top. But didn’t stop there. He pulled down the stairs hooked to the top level and affixed them to the floor. “The skyline is amazing from up here.”

Oh, she liked Tate, especially when he wore the same look Knox had the day he’d suggested the Ferris wheel.

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