Page 141 of Things Left Unsaid

“Plus, I know my grandmother. She’d never give me any peace. At least here, I can do what I want. I knew before we married you’d never pressure me into anything.”

“You know you can use a truck whenever you want, right?”

“Callan said as much.” She bites her lip. “Thank you.”

“For?”

Zee hesitates at first then murmurs, “You’ve been very generous. With everything. I couldn’t have… expected that.”

“We’re married.”

“Yes, but you’ve still been kind. I’m not saying this because you’re a Korhonen, either. You’ve welcomed me into your home. You’ve offered me the use of a truck. Staff clean my bathroom and Ida makes dinner.” She huffs out a laugh. “It’s more than I expected and more than I deserve too.”

I squeeze her hand but before I release it, I press my lips to her knuckles. When she squirms on her seat, I do it again, rumbling the words against her skin: “Don’t tell Mrs. Abelman that. She has her schedule to abide by.”

She swallows.

Hard.

My gaze locks on hers as I run the tip of my nose along the seam where her pointer and middle fingers meet.

“She’s pretty terrifying,” she croaks out, but she doesn’t pull away. “I thought the rumors were creative lies.”

With a wink, I relinquish my hold on her hand. “I made up most of the rumors but they were founded in the truth.”

Her smile hits me on the raw. Mostly because it’s genuine. Honest. A shared moment of humor.

What catches me like a fist to the solar plexus is when her thumb comes out and swipes over the place I just kissed.

Not to wipe away my kiss.

But to hold it in place.

Text Chat

Carson: Feel like being the best big sis in the world and taking us into Pigeon Creek, Zee?

Zee: You have a truck.

Colby: We HAD a truck

Zee: What did you do to it?

Calder: Technically, Colby and I did nothing.

Colby: We’re the innocent, injured parties.

Zee: Why don’t I believe you?

Carson: Because you’re a wise woman

Carson: Who doesn’t believe slanderous lies.

Zee: Don’t lay it on too thick, Carson lol. What happened?

Calder: Carson decided to use deodorant on our serpentine belt

Zee: You’re using English words but it’s not the same language as mine.

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