Page 80 of Love Me Steadfast
“You look nice,” Will says, his tone sincere.
Theo turns to him, his brow furrowing.
“Thanks,” I say, my throat suddenly parched.
“What?” William says to Theo with a shrug that looks anything but casual. “It’s true.”
Theo gives me a scrutinizing glance. “Of course it’s true.”
Okay, this is weird.
To my relief, William slips behind me with his laundry basket.
Theo lifts the grocery bag and heads for the door, but I intercept him for a hug. “I understand why you didn’t come today,” I say as he snakes his free arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.
Mo did a good job of pushing Theo away in those lost years when I was at Cornish and Dad was consumed with work. She tried to drag him down with her, and to Theo, it felt too close to what he’d endured with Mom. I don’t blame him for creating firm boundaries, but it doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.
“I should have come anyway,” he says with a heavy sigh.
I kiss his cheek, and he gives me a half smile.
“I’ve gotta drive separate so I can check on a patient after dinner,” he says, heading for the door. “I’ll see you guys there.”
William returns from his room and grabs his coat. “Ready?”
Ollie bolts awake and trots to the door, making both of us smile. Something shifts in the air between us. The layers protecting my heart feel itchy and too tight, like a scab exposed to the sun too long.
I release a slow breath. “Yeah. Do we need to bring anything?”
“I already loaded it in the truck.”
That damn truck. “Oh. Great.”
Will loads up Ollie and still manages to get to my side in time to open my door. When he offers his hand, I steel myself for my body’s reaction before taking it. But the instant we touch, flutters erupt in the center of my chest.
He shuts my door and crosses to his side.
Self-control, activate!
“What’s the story behind this toothache?” he asks once we’re underway.
My mouth opens, but the words jumble together on my tongue. “I might have cracked my molar.”
“Seriously?” He gives me a cheeky smirk. “One too many bar fights?”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll deal with it when I get back to Seattle.”
An uncomfortable silence stretches between us.
“Any luck on getting Morgan’s instruments back?” he finally asks as he pulls onto Zach and Sofie’s street.
“Not yet. But Zach’s working on it.”
“If anyone can track them down, it’s him. Maybe they’ll lock up that farrier too.” The familiar neighborhood homes passing by in the fading daylight kicks off more memories from back then. Football gear and smelly socks. Being crammed into Theo’s truck next to Will while Linnea and Morgan crowded into the jump seats, next stop, the swimming hole. But more powerful than any of those are the memories of driving myself home after hanging out with William, my head in the clouds and my lips tender from his kisses.
“I hope so.” I comb my fingers through my hair and glance out the window. “For everyone.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, frowning.
