“Good idea,” I said, glad I wouldn’t have to watch the exchange.
He grabbed the gift bag, the flowers, and the card, then stepped out of the car.
I stayed where I was, watching through the window as he walked up the path.
He took a moment to arrange everything on the front porch.
Setting the bag down.
Adjusting the flowers so they wouldn’t tip.
Making sure the card was visible.
My fingers tightened around my seatbelt.
Hewasn’t simply dropping something off. He was setting up a display. Making sure everything was just right.
I looked away.
When he got back in the car, I asked, “Hey, would you mind driving me by my house so I can check my mail real quick? I want to see if the new key for my Jeep arrived.”
“Sure,” he said, smiling at me like he didn’t have a care in the world. “No problem.”
We drove in silence for a few minutes after that.
Not necessarily awkward. Just quieter than before.
When we pulled up in front of my house, I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
“I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Sounds good.”
I stepped out and walked the short distance to the mailbox. Thankfully, our mailbox was close to the road, so it hadn’t been damaged in the fire.
Just as I’d hoped, there was a small, padded envelope inside with my name on it. I pulled it out, flipping it over before tearing it open right there on the sidewalk.
My brand new, shiny key fob slid into my hand.
Good.I sighed, feeling a bit of relief that I could drive my Jeep again. Because after a week of only being able to go on outings within walking distance with Charlotte, it would be nice to have more options for us to go on our daily adventures again.
I headed back down the sidewalk, a small smile tugging at my lips as I walked to the driver’s side of Theo’s Volvo.
He rolled down the window.
“It came,” I said, holding up the black key fob with a smile. “Looks like I can drive myself home.”
He smiled back. “I guess I’ll see you back at the house then.”
Like that was the obvious plan.
Like I’d just head right back.
But with the trip to Amanda’s house still fresh on my mind, I said, “I’m actually going to run a few errands.”
“Oh?” he asked, his brows lifting slightly. “Really?”
“Yeah, I…” I hesitated for a second, trying to come up with an excuse. “I need to get some things for the trip to Ky’s next weekend. Swimsuits, beach stuff.”