If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(71)

"I have a feeling you returned the favor."

"We've been through a lot together, but Jeremy has always been one step ahead of me."

She was curious about his comment, but she didn't have time to ask what he was referring to when Jeremy interrupted them.

"Barton, what the hell are you doing here? I thought it was the big birthday bash tonight," Jeremy said.

"It was, but Angel's Bay birthday bashes end by ten, especially with my mom's crowd. I'd ask you to hit a bar with me, but I have a feeling there's a kid nearby."

"Ashlyn is with Kara, and we're headed home, but you have fun," Jeremy said.

"I always do," Barton replied.

"Daddy, Daddy," Ashlyn interrupted, running over to them with excitement in her expression.

"What's up?" Jeremy asked.

"Faith's mom is going to have a sleepover at her house tomorrow night, and she said I can come and play with everyone. Can I go?"

"Sure, I guess so," Jeremy replied, looking as surprised as Mia was by Ashlyn's request to spend the night elsewhere. "That sounds like fun. We'll talk about it when we get home."

"I'll tell them I'm coming," she said, running back to the group.

"Looks like the kid is coming out of her shell," Barton commented.

"I can't believe it," Jeremy muttered. "I'm happy she wants to play with other kids. I'm not sure about a sleepover, though. Do you think she's ready to be away from me, Mia?"

"There's probably only one way to find out. You have to trust what she wants to do."

He nodded. "I'll talk to her more about it tomorrow."

"Hey," Barton said, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Maybe you and Mia should have a sleepover tomorrow night, too."

Jeremy shot his friend a dark look. "Not cool, Barton."

"I'm just joking. Mia knows that, don't you, Mia?"

She smiled and gave a nod, doubting that Barton ever thought before he spoke, but he had no malicious intent. "It's fine. But Jeremy and I don't need your help to plan a sleepover. We can do that ourselves."

He laughed. "I like your style, Mia. A straight shooter." He patted Jeremy's good shoulder. "Lucky guy. I'll see you later."

"Sorry about Barton," Jeremy said, as his friend left. "He doesn't know when to shut up."

"He's entertaining, that's for sure. Ready to go?"

"After you."

It was close to midnight by the time they got home. Ashlyn had once again fallen asleep in the car.

"Do you want help carrying things inside?" Mia asked.

"I can make a few trips."

"Are you sure?"

"Unless you want to bring some things inside and stay awhile—maybe all night?"

"I think I should stay at home tonight," she said, forcing the words out of her mouth, then regretting them immediately. But her practical side, the side that told her she better be careful or she was going to fall completely in love with this man, and he was going to break her heart, was making her cautious.

"Really?" he asked with disappointment.

"I could use some sleep, and we don't do much sleeping when we're together."

He smiled. "That's true. All right. Let's talk about tomorrow night. Since Ashlyn has plans for herself, what do you think about going on a date with me?"

"A date, huh?"

"Yes. I take you somewhere nicer than a pizza parlor or a diner, and we have an adult evening." He gave her a sparkling smile that sent butterflies dancing through her stomach. "Say yes."

"Yes," she said, realizing that once again she'd had another opportunity to say no to Jeremy and had chosen the affirmative instead. "I'd love to have dinner with you and have an adult evening."

"Good. I'm still going to miss you tonight, though."

"I'm going to miss you, too."

"You can change your mind."

"It's tempting, but I have a lot to do tomorrow."

"What's on the schedule?"

"More cleaning, and more research. I'm surprised Kate hasn't gotten back to me yet or my friend. I thought one or both of them would have contacted me by now. In the meantime, I'm going to move on with the gallery exhibition. I spoke to Didi Eckhart at the gallery earlier today, and she's going to come by tomorrow afternoon to see the paintings. I also told Kent and Christina they could come by and look for their art. I still need to contact one other woman. But it should be a busy day." It felt good to have a plan of things to do other than sleep with Jeremy.

"Sounds like it. I hope the artists let you keep their paintings. It seems wrong for them to take them back. I get that it's personal for them, but they still gave their art to your aunt, so it couldn't have been that personal."

"I feel the same way. I'm surprised by the negative reactions." She paused. "By the way, Christina was with Kent in the park after the movie. Kent told me that Eva had to leave to see a patient and that Christina was an old friend, but they didn't look too friendly. They were having a heated argument when I saw them. You said you didn't know her, right?"