Page 37 of Red, White, and Ewe

"In making decisions for others."

Kaleb's cheeks filled with air. He released it through pursed lips. "It's not something I'm proud of, but I am working on it. I assume she meant with the contractor?"

Nodding, Cinnamon lessened her grip on her hands and flexed her fingers. "Yes."

Kaleb slumped against the seat and ran his hand through his hair. "I get what she's saying, what you said. I'm working on that." The muscle in his jaw ticked. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why does all of this matter to you? Who I am now, I mean?" Kaleb straightened and hung his arm on the back of her seat.

Nerves tightened her stomach, her palms becoming moist. Kaleb gave her an opening. Was now the time to take it? She just stopped dating Mayson. But it wasn't as if they were emotionally invested. She shuddered. Not anymore, at least.

"Are you cold?" Kaleb moved to turn on the engine so he could roll up the windows.

Cinnamon reached out and put her hand on his arm, stilling his movements. "No. I recalled an unpleasant memory."

"It was bad enough to make you shiver?"

"You have no idea," Cinnamon murmured. "You asked whythis matters." She moved her hand back and forth, between the two of them. "Because, well, I still have feelings for you." She huffed. "I'm not sure they ever left."

Kaleb's mouth hung open. Cinnamon ran her tongue over her bottom lip, holding her breath. Releasing the air in her lungs, she lifted her eyes to his face, gaging his reaction, hoping to gain any insight to his thoughts.

"You still love me?"

"You're a difficult person to get out of my head and heart," she admitted with a shrug of her shoulders.

"What about Mayson?"

"Oh," Cinnamon laughed the word, "that's over. Trust me."

Kaleb raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "That's hard for me to believe," his voice lowered.

"Why? Do you think I'd lie to you?"

"No." Kaleb uncrossed his arms and slid his gaze to hers. "I saw you guys kissing. It didn't look like it was over to me."

Cinnamon smacked her forehead. "That's how Scarlet knew."

"She told you I saw you?" Kaleb's frown deepened. "She promised she wouldn't."

"She didn't. She kept her word." Cinnamon sighed. "That kiss proved to me and Mayson we were more like siblings than boyfriend and girlfriend."

"I find that hard to believe after what I witnessed."

Warmth covered her face. Cinnamon hated admitting what happened. Deep down, though, she knew she must. "I don't know how much you saw. When the kiss stopped, we sort of looked at each other and had a very cringe-worthy moment."

"How can any sane man say kissing you was cringe-worthy?" Kaleb's wide eyes spoke his disbelief.

More heat ran to her face. "Thank you for that, but it's true. I felt the same way. Like kissing my brother, if I had one."

"Let me get this straight. You're no longer dating Mayson?" Kaleb tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

"No."

"And you still love me?" Kaleb held her gaze, his eyes softening.

"Yes." Cinnamon swallowed the fear building up. "Do you love me?"

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