Meet Cute(45)

Before Linda can say anything else, my phone rings. I rush to dig it out of my purse, relieved when I see Daxton’s name flash across the screen. “Hi.”

“You said it was urgent. Is everything okay? I have calls from Emme. I was supposed to be at the school almost an hour ago. I’m just on my way out of the office now.”

A rush of emotion hits me, and I have to clear my throat before I can respond so it doesn’t carry to my voice. “I’m at the school. I’m bringing her home now.”

“I’m so sorry you had to do that. I really owe you.” His voice hitches, his emotions clearly just as out of control.

“It’s really no problem at all. I’ll have her home shortly.”

“I’ll explain what happened when you get here. I’m about ten minutes away, so I’ll probably beat you there.” I end the call and return my attention to Linda just as Emme bursts through the doors.

“Dax texted!”

I smile warmly as she approaches. “I told you he was stuck in court. He’ll meet us at home. Come on, let’s go.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Linda whispers, eyeing my purse.

Emme links her arm through mine and pulls me toward my car. “Bye, Aunt Linda,” she calls over her shoulder. She tosses her backpack on the floor and plops down in the passenger seat, buckling up without my encouragement.

I note the frayed sleeves of her hoodie and the holes in her jeans, fairly typical for a teenager. I’m pretty sure it’s the same hoodie she was wearing the time we went to the diner, and I have to wonder if it’s a favorite, something she’s taken to wearing as if it’s become the teenage equivalent of a security blanket. When my mother passed I had a blanket she’d made for me that I would often curl up with, just so I could feel close to her. And there was a necklace she loved that I would wear so I could keep her next to my heart. I wore it for years, and still do on occasion.

She bites her already ragged nails as we pull away from the school. I give her shoulder a little squeeze. “You all right?”

She nods, but her voice is small when she says, “I was so scared.”

“I know you were, sweetie, but everything is fine now.” That’s not entirely true, I don’t think, but telling her that isn’t going to help the situation.

It surprisingly takes only ten minutes to get to Daxton’s. He’s sitting on the front steps, suit jacket unbuttoned, tie hanging loose, hair a riotous mess.

He stands up as I pull into the driveway beside his Audi. I don’t even have the car in park before Emme throws open the door. Her backpack lands on the driveway, door still wide open as she rushes Dax and launches herself at him. A fresh wave of tears makes her body shake.

He wraps her up in his strong arms and bends to rest his cheek on top of her head, smoothing his hand over her hair. I cut the engine in time to hear him soothe her, “Shh. It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m right here. Nothing bad happened. We’re both fine. You’re fine. I’m right here.”

I have to take a moment to breathe through my own settling anxiety, my heart aching over her panic, which I felt as my own in that short time between her call and hearing from Dax. It reminds me of my own reaction all those years ago when my father suffered his first heart attack.

His eyes lift as I step out of my car, his expression one of gratitude and so many fleeting emotions, it’s impossible to pin them down.

“I th-thought something h-happened to you,” Emme sobs into his suit.

I round the front of my car, the clip of my heels a loud interruption as I pick up her backpack and gently close the passenger side door.

“I’m so sorry I made you worry. I’ll try my best not to let that happen again.”

I’m glad he doesn’t make a promise he can’t be sure he can keep like I did today.

It’s another half a minute of whispered words before she finally lets him go. “I thought I was going to have to go live with Aunt Linda.”

“Oh, kiddo, I’m doing everything in my power to keep you right here, with me, okay?”

She nods, her fingers at her mouth, chewing anxiously at her ruined nails.

“You hungry?”

She sniffs and shrugs. “Can Kailyn stay for dinner?”

Dax gives me a questioning, hopeful smile. “If she’d like.”

I should go and let them manage this situation, but Emme’s expression is just as hopeful as Dax’s, and two sets of puppy dog eyes are impossible to deny. “I can stay.”

Emme smiles through her tears. “Do you like sushi? Maybe we can order in?”

“That sounds great.”

“Why don’t you go in and get the menu so you can pick all the things you like?” Dax says.

“Okay.” Emme takes her bag and disappears inside.

As soon as she’s out of sight, Dax pulls me into him, head bowed until I feel his warm breath fanning across my neck. “Thank you.” He shudders and his hold tightens.

I smooth a palm up and down his back. “It’s okay. She’s okay now.” I should put some distance between us, but I find I like this too much. It’s been a long time since anyone has sought comfort in me. He smells so good, a hint of faded cologne, laundry, and watermelon gum. I feel both protected and needed, something I haven’t experienced in ages. It’s a dangerous combination.