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A zing of heat rushed through her blood when he pulled back and regarded her face. Hunger grew in his eyes while his features held a serious, tender note. If she didn’t leave right then, she was sure to make a mistake. She touched the grave with reverence. “I’ll be back, Mom. Much sooner than before.”
She stood and gathered her things. “We’d better go.”
Dean followed her and wrapped an arm around her as they headed down a hill. His light touch was just the comfort she needed.
“Thanks for not hating me.” Her voice sounded light and free, instead of the heavy sadness from minutes before.
He looked sideways at her. “Hate you? I’d never hate you.”
“I was really mean last night. I let my guard down with Ava, and you were just trying to have my back. Thanks for always being there, and I’ve made a promise to never say the two ‘s’ words again.”
Dean’s brows creased. “‘S’ words. What ‘s’ words are you... Do you mean spa—”
She covered his mouth and moved her hand immediately when heat erupted from under her fingertips.
“Or do you mean smot—”
She took a chance and covered his mouth again, only to discover new fiery tingles swirling in her belly. Bad move to touch his lips. She dropped her hand and turned away before he pointed out the flame in her cheeks. “Space and smother. Both of those words. Never again. You stay by my side as long as you want.” She might regret the decision later, but right then, she only wanted to be generous. Later, she would figure out exactly what it meant if he stayed by her side.
She turned to see his expression brighten. “How about this? Since you’re trying to turn a new leaf with Ava, let’s watch things carefully together. Don’t let her push you into anything you don’t want to do, and be careful not to let all your walls down when you’re around her.”
That was a fair trade. “Deal. And I promise not to push you away again.”
He chuckled and softly pinched her side when they approached their cars. “You’re my fake fiancée. It’s not like you can go anywhere fast. We have to get through Ava’s wedding first.”
The corners of her mouth turned up in a half smile. “Do you have plans today?” She pulled at her keys instead of looking him in the eye.
“Maybe.”
“I’m going to thank Gail for the bread and ask her about Ava’s dress fitting.” When he didn’t say anything, she considered him. Was he wincing because she’d mentioned Ava? She smacked his arm playfully. “We have a plan now, remember? Don’t worry about her.”
After a long sigh, he opened the driver’s side door of her jeep. “Did you want me to come?”
She shook the keys and got in. “If I’m going to announce our engagement, it’d be better if you tagged along.”
His eyes caught hers, and her heart skipped. She ignored it. It was just a passing feeling. She waved goodbye and shut the car door. Ignoring feelings never worked. Good thing they’d driven separate cars.
14
Dean
As they approached Gail’s front door, Dean reached for Emilie’s hand. Tingles crawled up his arm when she entwined her fingers with his. His mouth dropped open, and he flexed his free hand. If he caught a fish for every mixed signal he’d gotten since she returned, he’d have a bucketful.
She laughed when she met his eyes. “We have to make it convincing.”
Even though she confused him in every way, he didn’t mind one bit. The nearness of her alone was enough. She’d be worth the wait. Her long graceful fingers fit perfectly with his. He had to find a way to tell her how he felt.
He pried his gaze away from her and focused on Gail’s house. Identical to Emilie’s, except cream instead of white. A white picket fence lined the yard, and flowers spilled out of buckets.
They walked up the four steps. Emilie rang the doorbell.
He loved the way her face lit up like a dandelion in the sun when Gail opened the door. Love shone through a twinkle in her eye.
“Emilie, there you are.” Gail’s eyes fell to their entwined fingers, and she laughed. “What’s this? A joke?”
Dean held back a laugh. No way could they fool Gail.
Emilie didn’t budge. “You haven’t heard yet? We’re engaged, Miss Gail.”
