Page 51 of About Time You Noticed

Moments later, her hand rested at her side. His fingers itched to tangle around hers. She flashed him a glare, and he flicked his gaze back to the stage.

Eventually, Sarah settled into her seat, and he breathed easier as her shoulders softened.

Had she worn a different body spray tonight? He leaned a little closer and slowly breathed in. A hint of lavender filled his nostrils. Strawberries too? A strange mix. Sarah faced him. Oh, way too close and in her space. He forced a grin and inched back.

Tommy gripped the armrest separating them, and it moved. He studied the side and clicked a button. "Hey," he whispered. "These new seats are like the ones in the movies. How cool is that?"

Sarah offered a polite smile.

He pressed the button firmly, raised the arm, and pushed it into the crevice of the cushions. Now he could move freely. He wriggled into his chair, and his shoulder brushed Sarah's. She didn't move away. Progress.

Tommy slumped in his chair, and tiredness swept over him. He tried to get into the storyline. Sarah laughed at one point, jolting him from a daze. His eyes were unfocused on the bald head in front of him.

Sarah leaned over and whispered, "Aren't you enjoying the show?"

"I like being here with you." He swallowed and smiled. "My best friend."

The corners of her lips curved.

"But I am tired. Can I rest my head on your shoulder?"

She rolled her eyes, but still smiled. "Sure. But don't get any ideas."

He might get other ideas, but he wouldn't share them with Sarah. Yet. Trying not to put too much weight on her, he rested his cheek on Sarah's shoulder. Contentment settled over him. At least they were still friends, and she wasn't pushing him away anymore. Something to be thankful for.

Chapter Fifteen

"DID YOU OR DID YOU not threaten to chop up Edward’s limbs and send them around the country?" Sarah sat ramrod straight on top of her horse as they paced the dirt arena. The time was right to explain why she’d pulled away.

"It's a whatchamacallit—an analogy." Tommy nudged his horse, Midnight, and moved beside Trixi.

Sarah turned her head toward him and huffed. “It’s controlling.”

“Guys say these things, like ‘I’ll cut you off at the legs if you mess with my sister.’” He laughed. “I wouldn’t do it for real. The judge would send me to jail.”

Trixi snorted as if on cue. Sarah ran a hand over her mane. “Even Trixi thinks you’re making excuses.”

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