Page 49 of Finders Keepers

“Say no more.” He starts gathering the cards.

Relief floods through me at how easily he accepts this, no questions asked, no pressure to stay longer. We clean up our table and head outside, where the streetlights have clicked on, casting warm pools of light on the sidewalk.

“I had a really nice time tonight,” I tell him as we walk back to the restaurant parking lot, and I mean it. Despite my anxiety and that moment at dinner, it’s been the most normal I’ve felt in a long time.

Gavin’s truck sits under a streetlight, its maroon paint gleaming. When we reach it, he steps ahead and opens the passenger door for me.

“Here let me help you,” he offers, extending his hand.

I hesitate for just a moment before taking it. His palm is warm against mine as he steadies me while I climb into the high cab. Such a simple gesture, but it sends a flutter through my chest that I haven’t felt in years.

Once I’m settled in, I pull out my phone and text Ms. Lucy.

Heading back now. Thank you again for watching Sophie.

Her response comes almost immediately:No rush, honey. We’ve had a wonderful time. Sophie has a bag of chocolate chip cookies she helped make waiting to take home. Drive safe.

I smile at the message. Sophie baking cookies with Ms. Lucy, it’s exactly the kind of normal childhood moment I want for her.

“Everything okay?” Gavin asks as he starts the engine.

“Yeah. Sophie baked some cookies with Ms. Lucy.”

“Are we talking about Ms. Lucy’s legendary chocolate chip cookies by any chance?”

“Umm, yes?” I reply, confused.

“Those cookies are absolutely addictive, Bailey.”

“Well good to know. I’ll make sure to put the cookie jar up high so Soph can’t sneak any.” I smile.

The drive back turns quiet but comfortable, with the soft music from the radio station floating around the cab. Streetlights flash across Gavin’s profile as he drives, illuminating the strong line of his jaw, the slight curl at the corner of his mouth. I catch myself staring and quickly look out the window instead.

When we pull up to Ms. Lucy’s house, warm light spills from the windows.

“I’ll walk you up,” he says, already getting out of the truck.

We make our way up the path to Ms. Lucy’s front porch. The porch light casts a golden glow over everything, cicadas in the darkness beyond, and somewhere nearby, wind chimes tinkle softly.

Standing at the door, I turn to face him.

“I had a really nice time tonight,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Me too.”

Part of me wants to step forward, to feel his arms around me in a hug. It’s been so long since I’ve been held by someone who doesn’t want to hurt me. But another part—the cautious, scarred part—holds back.

He seems to sense my inner conflict. He stands perfectly still, his eyes soft in the porch light.

“Bailey, I’d like to see you again.”

My heart flutters at his words. “I’d—I’d like to see you again too.” The admission feels both terrifying and freeing, like stepping off a cliff and discovering I can fly.

Before I can say more, the front door swings open. Sophie stands there in her pajamas, Ms. Lucy right behind her.

“Mommy!” She launches herself at me, and I scoop her up, breathing her in.

“Hey, baby girl. Did you have fun with Ms. Lucy?”

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