"I had to," he said, "for your sake. Those weren't nice people."
"That's for sure."
"And then, a couple months ago, when I'd almost given up on finding you again, there you were, walking right past my house, looking just the same as I remembered."
"This is totally unfair, you know."
"How so?" he said.
"I had no idea what you looked like." I smiled. "But what I did see, and heard, I liked. I liked a lot." I looked around the hospital room. "Want to know what I wish?"
"What?"
"I wish we were somewhere else."
He smiled. "Yeah?" He sat up. "Let's go."
"Oh stop it," "You're supposed to stay at least twelve hours."
"For what?"
"Observation."
He leaned close to nuzzle my neck. "The only person I want observing me," he said, "is you."
Chapter 67
An hour later, we were pulling into the Parkers' driveway. Lawton was behind the wheel of a slick black SUV that had miraculously shown up in visitor's parking.
"I still can't believe you just walked out of there," I said.
He pulled up just behind my car and shifted the vehicle into park. "Wanna know what I can't believe?" he said.
"What?"
"That we've got another chance." He turned sideways in the driver's seat to face me. "And I swear to you, this time I'm not gonna screw it up."
I shook my head. "It wasn't just you. It was me too."
I looked toward the Parkers' house, dark and stately in the quiet neighborhood. I'd wanted so badly to belong here that I'd made excuse after excuse for not being honest. But I was done making excuses, to me, and to Lawton.
"I should've told you," I said.
"You should've told me what?"
I gave a small laugh. "Where to begin?" I said. "About house-sitting, Grandma, Josh, my job." I heard a soft sigh escape my lips. "You know, Lawton. I never meant to lie to you." I looked down at my lap. "But I guess, if I'm being honest, it was nice to feel like I belonged somewhere for once."
"Hey," he said, his voice quiet in the darkened car. "I know exactly where you belong."
"Where?"
"Wherever you want to be." He grinned. "As long as it's with me."
I returned his smile. "While I’m apologizing," I said, "I guess I should apologize for flipping out on you."
He laughed. "Which time?"
"Hey!" I said, giving him a playful swat on the arm. "I meant about the whole hooker thing. But I've gotta tell you, I was pretty mad."
