Page 59 of If Our Hearts Collide

“You’ll be extra safe?” Dad asks, trying to keep any emotion out of his tone.

“Of course. And I’ll be back tonight to sleep here, just a bit later than usual.”

“Oh, okay.” His relief pulls at my heartstrings. “You have your key?”

“Yup. Also, once I move out, you can use my room to store baby stuff until Claire gives birth. The extra space will probably be welcomed.”

“You will always have a room here, Pen,” Momma insists. “Always.”

I step closer, joining them in a group hug. “You both are amazing parents.”

After a long minute, I break the hold and use the bathroom before heading outside.

I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss living here. Because I will. My parents are basically the best—albeit a bit intrusive attimes. I will miss the smell of fresh flowers that my momma has been nurturing and the ease of having someone to talk to at a moment’s notice. I’ll miss the comfort that home brings, but this is the right step for me. And I think deep down, they know it as well.

Fishing my phone out of my bag, I find the taxi service app. Based on the tracker, my ride should be here in about five minutes. I meander along the front porch, observing Momma’s new plant additions. Maybe when I get settled into my apartment, I can spruce it up with some greenery.

I am lost in thought when I see movement from the corner of my eye, causing my head to jerk toward it.

“Collins?” I ask, placing a hand over my heart. “I thought you left. Where’s your SUV?”

He gestures with his chin toward the end of the driveway where his vehicle is idling. From the confusion on my face, he elaborates with, “You left your hair tie in the cupholder.”

As his hand extends, and his fingers open up, I see the pink stretchy ring in his palm. I don’t even remember removing it from my wrist. My fingers brush his, as I accept the offering. His touch tickles, causing goose bumps to trail up my legs, all the way to my arms. Our eyes lock, and there’s more exchanged in the simple look than just a hair tie.

“Thank you,” I say softly. It’s as if the tie serves as some peace offering I’m not sure I should even accept.

In the distance, heat lightning flickers over the mountains. The wind is warm, and the smell of my momma’s flowers fills the air. It would be tranquil here if I wasn’t so on edge around Collins. He makes me twitchy.

“You mad at me?”

I shrug. “A little.”

Collins nods in understanding. “I’m not trying to ruin your life, Penny.”

“So you say.”

“Things will work out. You’ll see.”

I rock on the heels of my feet as a car flies past the driveway, screeches to a stop, and then backs up down the road.

Then the headlights come flickering up the lane. Based on the rev of the engine, I’m not quite sure it will even make the short trip.

Collins turns to look at the source of the light coming toward us, his eyebrows drawing in. “Who’s that?” His voice is stern, cold.

“I don’t know,” I lie. I don’t even recognize my own squeaky voice.

“Yes, you do. Tell me,” he presses, somehow knowing that the junk of a vehicle coming our way has something to do with me. Maybe he does have some sort of sixth sense.

I bite my bottom lip and brace myself. “My ride.”

His eyes bore into mine. “Your ride?”

I plaster on a smile. It’s not often I get to shock someone like Collins, and based on how his back is poker straight, I’d say I managed to do just that. I pull back my shoulders and clear my throat. “Yes, my ride.”

Collins takes in my attire, seeing that I’ve exchanged my ratty pajamas for something more sophisticated. “To where?”

Oh, and now he’s a bit snappy. “To wherever my heart desires.”

---