“Wren, I can’t let—”
“Lee, it’s four blocks. I thought that was the plan all along.”
Lee stumbled to the wall of the corridor and pressed his forehead against it. “I’m such an asshole.”
Absurdly, this made her giggle. “Why would you say that?”
“How could I leave you stranded?”
“I’m not stranded. I’ve got two legs, two feet, and a pair of shoes. Besides,” she said, her voice dipping a little. “It’s not like I’ve never done it before.”
Only because the guys she’d been with hadn’t taken better care of her. Lee screwed his eyes shut at the realization that he could now count himself among that number.
“You deserve better,” he muttered. “I’m so sorry.”
“It is no big deal." She spoke as if she meant it. “The walk with Victor will do us both good. And maybe he could just stay with me and get to know Agnes today. I can bring him home tonight.”
Lee allowed himself to breathe. By the sound of it, he’d have the opportunity to make it up to her, to show her that he really was different from the other guys she’d dated. That she could expect more from him.
Okay. “I’ll pick you up a quarter after six,” he vowed.
“Nuh-uh. I’ll pickyouup a quarter after six. That way, I’ll have a ride home in the morning.”
Her meaning stunned him silent. “Well, I can’t argue with that.”
“No, you’d better not,” she said, the smile clear in her voice. “I’ll see you at 6:15.”
TRUE TO HERword, Wren arrived in her turquoise Mustang at a quarter after six, pulling up to the curb just as Lee got out of his Jeep. Victor sat in the bucket seat next to her, and the sight of the two of them in the classic car lit him up.
Yeah, that looks pretty good.
Wren smiled back at him, killed the engine, and stepped out with Victor on his leash. “What are you grinning at?” she asked, crossing the yard toward him, the puppy pulling on his lead to get to Lee.
“Something I like.”
She raised an amused brow. This time it sparkled with a tiny, pink gem. “Oh, really?”
“Oh, yes.”
Wren stepped closer and raised a hand to reach for him, and, out of habit, Lee stepped back.
Her look of confusion was immediate. “What?”
Lee realized his mistake and felt his cheeks color. “I’m sorry. I… I’m just getting back from the hospital,” he said, shaking his head. “Marcelle always wanted me to shower or at least change clothes before I touched her if I was coming from the hospital.”
Shock flashed on her face. “Wow. That’s…harsh.”
And then she surprised him by taking another step in his direction, a sly smile coming to her lips. “Your work brings you close to people. So does mine. That doesn’t scare me.”
Wren grabbed his tie and gently tugged. He bent down and happily met her kiss, taking her sweet face in his hands and trying to keep his smile under control.
This is how I want to be welcomed home.
When she released him, she gave him a little push towards the house. “Now, go change. Mamaw Gigi is already freaked out that I’m bringing a doctor home for dinner,” Wren said, looking half-amused and half-alarmed. “If you walk in wearing an actual tie, she might faint.”
MAMAW GIGI LIVEDon Azalea Street in a white duplex with black shutters. As Lee and Wren mounted the front porch, the savory smells of home-cooking welcomed them through the screen door.
Wren held onto his hand as she pulled the door open. “Ready?” she whispered. And while she looked anything but ready, Lee wanted to charge ahead.