Page 14 of Riding Home

She looked between us.“Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” Clark answered smoothly.“Just a misunderstanding.”

She nodded slowly.“Well, if you’re sure...”

I touched her arm.“Really, it’s okay.Let’s get back to the others.”

Returning to the dining room, conversations resumed, though curious glances were cast our way.Clark stayed close by my side.

“Is everything alright?”Aunt Lydia whispered.

“Just fine,” I assured her.

Dinner continued, but the earlier warmth had cooled.As Clark squeezed my hand under the table, comfort washed over me.

“Well, despite Mark leaving, this has been one of the best Thanksgivings we’ve had,” Mom declared, clearing plates.

“I’ll do the dishes,” I offered.

“Me too,” Clark said.

In the kitchen, as we loaded the dishwasher, I turned to him.“Thank you for standing up for me.”

He met my gaze.“No one should talk to you like that.”

“I didn’t want things to get physical.”

He nodded.“I’m sorry if I made things harder.”

“You didn’t.Mark needed to hear the truth.And thank you for everything tonight.”

He leaned against the counter, a soft smile.“Happy to help.”

“Even if you did embarrass me with that story,” I teased.

“Admit it—you loved being called my Honey Bun.”

I laughed.“No...But you’re skilled at this.”

“At what?Dishes?”

“Fitting in.Making everyone feel at ease.”

He shrugged.“Just being myself.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” I admitted.

“Me too.Maybe we can make this more than just an act,” he suggested.

I raised an eyebrow.“Are you asking me out, Clark?”

“Maybe I am,” he said with a twinkle.

I smiled.“We’ll see.”

“Fair enough,” he grinned.

As we rejoined the festivities, I let the feeling of being Clark’s girlfriend, for real, take over.

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