Page 230 of Safe With You

I looked at him.

His smile widened.

“You didn’t correct her.”

I should have known he’d notice that.

“Neither did you.”

“I didn’t need to.”

“Why?”

His eyes stayed on mine.

“Didn’t bother me.”

The answer came easily, without any teasing attached to it. Just the truth, and something about that shifted low in my chest.

I looked toward the front windows instead.

It didn’t bother me either.

That was the part I didn’t say.

“Y’all planning on standing there all night?”

Tasha’s voice broke through the moment.

I closed my eyes.

Ellis looked toward his sister. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“Yes. At home. Which is why I’m trying to leave.”

“Then go.”

“With your child?”

Mila looked up from the programs. “I’m staying with Daddy.”

Tasha lifted both hands. “See? Problem solved.”

Jacob was already standing beside her with his jacket on.

Naomi came around the counter carrying a trash bag.

“You leaving?”

Tasha looked at her. “Eventually.”

Naomi smiled. “Oh.”

I looked between them.

There it was again.

Tasha reached for Jacob’s shoulder. “Come on before your mama gets accused of holding up bookstore operations.”