Page 71 of Dancing in the Rain

“We were just sitting with Mom for a while.” She started back toward the bedroom.

Drew followed. He stepped into Sara’s bedroom, ready to greet her with a big smile. He was glad she’d been doing better yesterday.

But Sara was half asleep and didn’t even seem to know he was there. He turned concerned eyes on Peyton, sitting in the chair beside the bed. Their eyes met with a clash of sparks. Heat swept through his body, as he remembered their erotic kisses last night. He swallowed.

“She’s not having such a good day today,” she said quietly. “What have you got planned for you and Chloe?”

“Well, first lunch. Then we have a shopping stop to make, and then we’re going to Lincoln Park.”

“To the zoo?” Chloe asked.

“Nope. Do you own a pair of in-line skates?”

She blinked. “No.”

“Okay then. That’s what we’re shopping for and then we’re going skating.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“I’m gonna teach you.”

“Oh.” She made a face. “Cool.”

“Uh, does the shopping trip include a helmet?” Peyton asked.

Drew grinned. “Yes. And knee and elbow pads.”

She nodded.

“How about you?” he asked her. “Do you have Rollerblades?” She’d made it clear that she’d be accompanying them on any outings until Sara was comfortable enough for him and Chloe to be alone together.

“God, no.” She grimaced. “But that doesn’t matter, because I’m not going with you today.”

He went still. “No?”

“No.” She looked away. “It’s fine, though. I talked to Sara about it last night.”

Fuck, she was pissed at him about last night. Now things were going to be awkward and she was going to avoid him. Great.

He turned to Chloe, sitting on the bed watching her mom, a somber expression on her face. Drew’s heart ached for her. “Do you want to stay with your mom today?”

Chloe glanced at him then at Peyton.

“Go,” Peyton said gently. “I’ll be here. Spend time with Drew.”

“Okay.” Chloe slid off the bed.

“What time should I have her home? Five o’clock okay?”

Despite his happiness at seeing Chloe again, he felt an unreasonable dig of disappointment that Peyton wouldn’t be joining them. Even though they had both agreed there could be nothing between them, he’d been anticipating spending the afternoon with her, even buying her skates and teaching her to use them.

But Chloe was his number one priority. They’d spent time alone together before, playing videogames, doing homework, eating dinner, but always with someone else in the house. Even so, they’d had some good talks and he was looking forward to a whole afternoon of getting to know her better and having fun.

“Is there somewhere you’d like to have lunch?” he asked her once they were in his car and seat-belted in.

She clasped her hands together in front of her and thought about that. “How about Red Lobster?”

“Sure.”

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