Page 17 of Under Pressure
They started to turn down their row, when Don came up short, pulling Amelia to a stop with him because of his hold on her arm.
“Don, what are you doing?” Amelia asked.
“We’re over here.” He tilted his head in the opposite direction.
Amelia stared down the row they were on. “We rode with Sean.”
Some of the lightness in Don’s eyes dimmed.
“We went separately,” Sean said, stepping closer. “I had to pick up Blue?”
Amelia blinked, glanced around like she was lost for a second, then smiled. “Right, of course. I swear I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached.”
“Psh,” Sean said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. “You never forget anything.”
“Well, I’ve been forgetting a few things lately.” She patted his cheek. “I have an appointment with my doctor on Wednesday, so I’m sure he’ll fix me right up. It’s probably because I haven’t been sleeping well.”
Sean shot a look at Don, and Blue felt a nervous pinch in her gut from the return look Don gave Sean—he shook his head. Blue knew that look. It was one her dad gave her before they ran away when warning her off a topic.
“He’ll get her some sleep meds, and she’ll be right as rain,” Don said, his voice tight even though he was trying to sound light.
Blue hoped everything was all right.
Amelia stepped toward Blue, wrapping her up in the best bear hug, and Blue’s throat tightened. Her dad was a goodhugger, but there was just something about a mom-hug (or grandma-hug as the case may be). “It was so good to meet you.”
“You too,” Blue said.
Amelia let her go to arm’s length. “Don’t forget to come try my cannolis. You won’t be disappointed.”
Blue looked in Sean’s direction not wanting to promise something she couldn’t follow through with.
He winked. “They’re the best.”
And there came that warm feeling again. “I will. Thanks.”
Don patted Sean on the shoulder and gave Blue a side-hug, and they said their goodbyes. “Don’t be a stranger,” Don said. And Blue really hoped she would see them again.
By the time they reached her and Dad’s apartment building, Blue felt emotionally drained. She stifled a yawn against the back of her hand. It was two in the morning after all. Sean smirked at her as he parked. Most of the lights were out in the edifice that’d probably been built in the seventies but was well-maintained. It had flowers everywhere, winding paths, and a few street lights that added a nice glow and kept the place from being pitch at night.
“Hold tight.” Sean hopped out and went around to her side of the vehicle.
She gave him a grateful smile as he helped her out of his jeep and shut the door quietly behind her, fondly rubbing the roof once he did. They stood at the curb. She was so, so tired, but she also wasn’t ready for this night to end. “Thanks again for inviting me. That was—” She stared into the distance, not really seeing anything. “Needed.”
He leaned against his car. “I’m glad you came. You handled my family well.”
She chuckled under her breath. “They’re so fun.”
They headed for her door in a comfortable silence—no longer holding hands, their arms only touching on a passing swing. Atthe door, she reached in her leather bag and pulled out her keys, but she wasn’t ready to go in, even though her body felt like it was about to collapse from exhaustion.
“That was a great topper to celebrate the end of our assignment.” She glanced up at him. “Guess we’ll just see each other in class?”
His smile broadened. “Oh, no. You’re not getting rid of me so easily.”
She let out a little breath, that to her own ears sounded a little harried. Crap, she didn’t want to sound breathless. “I’m not?”
He leaned forward, right into her personal space, and this time she sucked in a gasp and held her breath—she had to for self-preservation. He smelled entirely too good. That clean laundry scent clung to him and when she breathed deep, her body always seemed to list his way. That mixed with the heavenly aroma of the rose bushes around her front door, the soft lamp light, and the chirping cicadas were making this way too dream-like. Way too surreal. Was he going to kiss her? Should she kiss him? Her lips itched with anticipation. She licked her lips, and his hazel eyes dropped to her mouth.
He swallowed, placing a hand on the door beside her head. “I like you Blue. So, unless you order me away, I’m staying.” He got just a little closer.
