Page 193 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
I think myself in circles all the way through dinner and Jack’s bedtime. I haven’t texted Perry back, and he hasn’t texted me either. So, do we just leave things like this? Is he expecting me to show up to work tomorrow? Work virtually from home? Take another day off?
A part of me wants to feel angry. Why isn’t he responding to me? Talking to me about the morning he spent with my kid? But a bigger part of me is just straight up worried.
I need to see him. Talk to him.
And I need to do it face to face.
Rebecca the babysitter, bless her, is at my house by nine, a stack of homework to keep her busy.
‘Thanks so much for coming last minute,” I say. “He’s totally zonked, so you shouldn’t hear a peep from him.”
“Sounds good! Take your time. I’ve got enough homework to keep me busy till midnight.”
A quick text to Olivia from my driveway gives me Perry’s home address. I’ve never actually seen his house, but I’m too stressed to be curious.
I just want to see him.
Make sure he’s okay.
Make surewe’reokay.
As I drive down the mountain, all I can think is that the only thing worse than a breakup conversation with a man I think I’m in love with would be having to explain that breakup to Jack.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lila
Perry’s place is morecottage than house, nestled into the woods at the end of a narrow, paved road. There are flowers on his porch and ivy climbing up a trellis toward the second floor, and a birdhouse sign bearing the house number and the words “Home, Sweet Home” next to the front door.
I can’t be in the right place. Nothing about this house says Perry. Not even a little bit.
I pull out my phone and double check the address Olivia sent over. The house numbers match, but could I be on the wrong road? I send Olivia a quick follow-up.
Lila:Are you sure you gave me the correct address?
Olivia:It’s right. He’s renting. Saving up to buy a place.
I think of what Perry told me about Jocelyn gutting him in their divorce, and my heart squeezes.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I step up to the door and knock.
I hear movement inside, but no one answers, so I try again. If he doesn’t come this time, I’ll text him and tell him I’m standingon his porch, and I’m not leaving until he comes out to talk to me.
I channel the frustration I felt this morning when he brought the car back and then hightailed it out of town. I think of the moment before he left for the breakfast, the way he touched me,promisedme.
I think of how much I wanted to tell him I love him.
Andnowhe thinks he can ignore me?
I pound on the door a third time, this time like I really mean it.
Finally, the door swings open. “Brody, seriously, I’m not in the mood to—”
I jump back at his tone—grumpy Perry is definitely back—and press a hand to my chest.
“Lila.”
“Geez, Perry. You scared me.”
