I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Uh—maybe?”
Eryn ignored my flustered tone and beamed at Ford. “You two should come to Red Downs tonight. Gray’s grilling, and Walker promised he wouldn’t incinerate the steaks this time. Sutton’s coming, and Caroline, too.” She leaned in, voice a conspiratorial whisper. “It’ll probably be like old times, only with better wine and less toxic masculinity.”
Ford laughed, the tension draining from his shoulders. “That sounds great. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Sutton’s what?”
“Coming to Red Downs for dinner with everyone tonight,” she said, her eyes a little too wide to be natural.
Sutton didn’t miss a beat. “Oh yeah, it’ll be great,” she said before disappearing into the kitchen again.
Eryn gave me a look. “Maybe Ford can pick you up on his way, Lily.”
“Oh, I’d have to find a sitter?—”
“Don’t be silly, Mason and Chloe are bringing Abby. Noah’s always welcome. He can even sleep over if you want.”
“Oh, um, I don’t know . . .”
Ford looked to be hiding a smirk.
“Come on, Lily, I need someone to taste-test my potato salad. And you’re the only one who appreciates my lemon bars.”
I could tell by her tone that this wasn’t really a question, but a dare. I liked that about Eryn. She had a way of making the impossible sound mandatory.
“Sure,” I said, and meant it. “I’ll be there. But you don’t have to pick us up, Ford.”
Ford eyed Eryn and shook his head. “No, I’m pretty sure I do. But it’s my pleasure,” he added with a smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.
Sutton reappeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron and grinning like she’d been listening the whole time. “You want me to bring another dessert?” she asked Eryn, who nodded like she’d just been named class president.
“Bring those chocolate pecan bars,” Eryn said. “Gray nearly started a bar fight over the last batch.”
Sutton winked at me, then glanced at Ford. “You like chocolate?”
Ford shrugged. “Doesn’t everyone?”
She smirked. “Good answer. See you tonight, Brooks.”
The conversation was over before it had begun, swept up in Eryn’s hurricane energy and Sutton’s mischievous encouragement. Ford lingered, just for a moment, and I realized we were alone again.
He tapped his fingers on the counter, then looked me dead in the eyes. “I’ll pick you up at six?” It was a question, but not really. More like a promise.
“Six is good,” I said. My voice was steady, but my heart was doing gymnastics.
His smile was small, but the real kind. “I’ll be early.”
He left then, shoulders squared, moving with a purpose I envied. The sun caught the edge of his hair as he walked out, making him look like he belonged in some other universe, some place where good things happened to people who didn’t expect them.
I exhaled, finally.
Eryn came back to the counter, arms folded. “He’s so into you,” she stage-whispered. “You know that, right?”
I shot her a look. “He’s into bear claws and free coffee. I’m just a bonus.”
She grinned, unconvinced. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Sutton elbowed me, a soft nudge. “You okay?”
