Page 9 of Enchanted Kisses
I reached for my head, inadvertently knocking Caiden’s hands from my face. Something was wrong. I touched my temples. “Did I meet you at Olson’s tonight?”
“Yes.” He eyed me with caution. “Let me try to explain.”
“Try?” I laughed without humor. “Try isn’t good enough, Caiden. I deserve the truth.”
He nodded. “You do.”
“How do I know I can trust you? You’re already clouding my mind with your presence.”And his familiar scent and warm hands. “I can’t think when you’re this close.” I backed up a few steps.
He followed me, crowding my space. “Lily?”
I threw out my hand. “Don’t. Please. I can’t do this tonight. I thought I could, but I can’t.” I wasn’t even sure I could trust myself, which scared me most of all. “Please just go and I’ll call you tomorrow. It’s been a long night,” I added, to soften the blow.
Guess he was better at rejecting me than I was at rejecting him.
I walked to the front porch, surprised when he didn’t try to stop me, and maybe a little disappointed that he hadn’t. Since when did he give up so easily?
When I turned to see if he was still here, I found him in the same spot on the driveway. “What’s wrong?”
“Your keys.” He pulled them from his pocket. “I still have them.”
“Oh.” I’d forgotten he drove me home. “Wait. Where’s your car?” He’d had the coolest jeep. We had so much fun in it, cruising around town or to the beach.
“I don’t have it.”
“How did you plan to get home?”Uber?
“I’ll figure something out.” He lifted the keys. “Should I toss them to you?”
“Don’t be silly. You can take my car home and return it in the morning.” Which would assure that I’d see him again.
He nodded, his gaze anxious. I knew that look—he didn’t want to go. In the past, when it got late, I’d invite him to stay the night. Dad never cared if Caiden slept in the guest room as long as hestayedin the guest room. He never did but Dad didn’t know because Caiden snuck back down to his room before Dad woke up. Not that my father had anything to worry about. Caiden and I were friends, nothing more. I hated how that made me sad.
“Where are you staying?” I asked when he turned to leave. “A new family rented your old house.”
The place sat vacant for a long time after he disappeared. I used to drive by, hoping to catch a glimpse of his dad, even though I’d never met him. Last month, a woman and her young son moved into the house. I knew because I stopped by and asked if she knew Caiden or his dad, Sergeant Griffith. The lady had never heard of them.
He swung back to face me. “I’m at a hotel.”
“Which one?” Brunswick didn’t have many hotels. St. Simon Island had better options, but it was farther from here.
“Um...I forgot the name.”
My brows went up. “Youforgotthe name of your hotel?”
“I haven’t been to it yet.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him. “Is your dad with you?” Maybe he chose the hotel and Caiden was meeting up with him.
“I’m alone.”
That didn’t bring me comfort.Maybe Ishouldoffer the guest room to him.
“Are you going to disappear again?” I blurted. “If you are, just tell me. I’d rather know than never hear from you again like last time.”
His eyes locked on mine. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
I wasn’t sure what thewithout youpart meant.Ihad no plans to go anywhere. I didn’t want to ask, though. It would open up a conversation, and I really needed to rest. My head throbbed. I couldn’t remember when I’d ever had a headache this bad.
