“I’ll do both. I mean…I’ll follow you, but still put your address in just in case we get separated.”
As soon as she said the words, their eyes met. Even though they weren’t talking about their past, it just seemed like that statement resonated with them both.
Knox rattled off his address and then motioned for them to leave the locker room. His hand hovered near her lower back without touching her, but as soon as they walked out to the gym, they came face to face with one of his partners.
Shit.
Daniel Alexander was one of his best friends, but by the amused look on his face, Knox knew he wasn’t going to be able to simply walk by with a smile and a wave.
“Hey,” Daniel said, his smile brightening at Maddie before looking at him. “We were all wondering where you went.”
“Uh, yeah. I went to go change and…”
“Leaving already?” Daniel asked and then turned his attention to Maddie. “Hi. I’m Daniel. One of the owners of SEAL Security. And you are…?”
Maddie leaned back slightly and Knox’s hand was right there waiting. “Maddie Christopher,” she said quietly before looking up at Knox like she wasn’t sure what else to say.
And while she did, so did Daniel. Only…where Maddie’s was more of a panicked look, his friend’s face showed that he knew exactly who she was.
“So, um…we’re heading out,” Knox said, his voice almost comically high-pitched before clearing his throat. “We’re heading out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Daniel nodded and stepped aside and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that the second he and Maddie were out the door that everyone was going to know exactly who he was leaving with.
And he knew there’d be a huge conversation waiting for him when he came to work in the morning.
Out in the parking lot, they paused. “I’m over here,” he said, pointing to the large black pickup truck three spots away.
“I’m the silver Kia SUV over there,” she replied, pointing to a few rows over. “I guess I’ll wait for you by the exit.”
“Sounds good.” Neither moved and he realized his hand was still on her back. Clearing his throat again, he forced himself to move. “I’ll see you at my place.”
Maddie walked away and Knox stayed where he was and watched her go as a sense of déjà vu hit him. The last time he watched her walk away, he was helpless. Of course, at the time, he had no idea it would take years to see her again.
This time, however, it would only be minutes.
Part of him prayed he’d survive her leaving him again—no matter what was said or how this all went.
And as much as he knew this needed to happen, all he could do was question how smart it was to invite her back to his house knowing she had an overnight bag in her trunk.