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I nod. “Yeah, I remember the food at your aunt and uncle’s anniversary party. It was great.”
Then I clamp my hand over my mouth.
That party didn’t end well either. Ryan Steel was rushed to the hospital on suspicion of a heart attack. Turned out it wasn’t a heart attack, but no one really knows what happened. The Steels kept it quiet.
Callie told me it was a panic attack, but I’m sworn to secrecy, so I can’t say anything to Dave about it.
That was the beginning of what would turn out to be the big upheaval in the Steel family… And for all the citizens of Snow Creek.
We don’t talk a lot while we eat, and once I finish my rather large slice of lasagna, my belly is nice and full.
I drink the wine, which of course is way better than any of the wine my family makes. Ryan and Dale Steel are artists, whereas my father makes wine that’s accessible to the masses. Table wines that are good with everything and easy on the pocketbook.
Of course, this season he’s made no wine because of the fire.
Ugh.
Just what I don’t want to think about.
“You want any more?” Dave asks.
“God no,” I say. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“That’s a shame, because in the freezer I have some of my mom’s vanilla bourbon ice cream made with brown sugar.”
I rub my stomach. “It sounds amazing, but I can’t.”
“Okay. Maybe later.”
“Sure.”
I suppose now he’s going to try to seduce me into his bed. I’m certainly not averse to the idea. Just sitting with him, I’m already hot and horny as hell.
I’m not sure if it’s the best thing, since I’m leaving tomorrow.
But instead of rising, bringing me to my feet, and kissing me senseless, he takes my hand, brushes his lips over the back of it, and then looks me straight in the eye.
“Maddie, we need to talk.”
My heart plummets.
Here it is—the classic brush-off. It’s never a good thing when a person says those four fatal words.
“All right.” I keep my countenance balanced. No way will I let him know how disappointed I am.
He kisses my hand again. “I like you a lot.”
“I like you too, Dave.”
“And I’d like to continue seeing you. After you go back to school.”
My eyes widen in shock. “Oh?”
He cocks his head at my reaction. “Did you think I was going to say something else?”
“I… Well… Yeah. You said the standard break-up line. We need to talk.”
He raises an eyebrow. “That’s the standard break-up line?”
