Page 68 of The Truths We Find

“Her sneaking back into our connecting rooms in her gown this morning was a bit of a giveaway, buddy,” Alexa says, not even trying to hide her grin.

Gavin’s ears turn red, and I have to fight the urge to laugh at how ridiculously endearing he looks.

“Don’t worry,” Alexa adds. “I won’t say anything. I know you two need to figure out whatever this is”—she gestures between us—“but do it fast, because I like seeing my girl as happy as she was this morning.”

The thought of waking up wrapped in Gavin’s arms flashes through my mind. How safe I felt, how easy it was to breathe beside him. A warmth settles deep in my chest, something I haven’t felt in a long time.

Me too, Alexa. Me too.

Chapter 21

Gavin

We finish eating and make our way to baggage claim. Our flight landed a while ago, so Alexa offers to check with the claim desk about our suitcases, leaving Dani and me standing side by side.

The silence that settles between us feels heavier than it should, especially with the constant rush of the airport buzzing around us.

Dani pulls out her phone, her thumb hovering a little too deliberately over the screen. She opens an app and pretends to scroll.

“I should call a rideshare for Alexa and me,” she says, not quite looking at me.

I reach out and gently cover her screen with my hand. The contact is brief, but it does something to me. “Save your money. I’ve got my truck. I’ll give you both a ride home.”

She looks up, and gives me a warm smile. “You sure?”

“Of course,” I say easily. And because it’s true, I add, “I’ll take any time I can get with you.”

I bump my shoulder lightly against her, careful not to jostle her. She still looks a little pale, and the instinct to take care of her feels automatic.

Alexa returns with the bags, handing each of us our suitcases. Her phone dings almost immediately.

“Oh! My car’s here,” she says. “I’ll see you guys later!”

“Wait!” Dani calls after her as Alexa starts toward the exit. “Gavin was going to give us a ride.”

Alexa turns, already grinning. “Girl, you need alone time together.” She winks. “Have fun.”

I glance at Dani, half amused, half aware of how fast my pulse just picked up. I guess… that’s that.

We make our way to the parking lot and find my truck. I toss our bags into the bed and get us on the road.

I take a chance. Instead of merging onto the freeway toward Dani’s place, I steer the truck in the opposite direction, toward mine.

“Uh, Gavin,” she says after a moment, glancing at the road signs. “You just got on the wrong on-ramp.”

My grip tightens slightly on the steering wheel. “Actually, I wanted to take you somewhere. It’s a surprise.”

She squints at me, then breaks into a grin. “Oh, no. Am I being kidnapped? Should I flag down a cop?”

I laugh, relieved by how easy this all feels again. “Very funny. Why don’t you close your eyes and take a little nap? Traffic’s a nightmare so it’ll be a bit.”

She settles back against the window and closes her eyes without hesitation.

It takes everything in me not to reach over. Not to rest my hand on her thigh. Not to lace my fingers through hers like we used to, back when it felt normal to touch her like that.

Waiting was my idea. Being responsible. Doing this right.

And yet, all I can think about is how badly I want something as simple as holding her hand.