The Good Luck Charm(29)

“Yeah. It’s super cool. Do you know if you’ll be starting yet? Or is it, like, too soon to know that?”

“Depends on how preseason training goes.”

“It’s good so far, though, right? I saw somewhere that you’re, like, kicking ass.” He’s still bouncing with excitement.

I smile at his enthusiasm. My performance at practices so far has been on point, so it’s nice to know other people are seeing it, too. “Well, that’s good to hear.”

“I can’t wait to see you play.”

“You bring a jersey and I’ll sign it for you—sound good?”

“Cool. Awesome.” He keeps nodding and grinning, his face still red.

The candy ends up costing twenty-five bucks, which my new friend Matt seems to think is totally crazy. I add a card so I can write a note to go with the candy. Once I’m back in my truck, I put the address Carmen gave me into my GPS. Lilah’s house is in a small subdivision away from the water, where homes are more affordable.

Carmen’s car is parked in the driveway behind Lilah’s. It’s a quaint little row house. The front garden is neatly tended, as I’d expect from Lilah.

I park my truck on the street and search for a pen in the glove box. All I come up with is a blue colored pencil. I can’t erase anything I put down, so I chew on the end, debating what I want to write. I decide the best way to go is direct with a bit of tongue-in-cheek, so to speak. I sign the card, slip it into the envelope, and leave the engine running because I don’t plan to stick around. I finger the dog tags hanging from the rearview mirror for a second before I open the door and hop out of the cab.

My hands are stupidly sweaty for dropping off a bag of peace-apology candies. I can see inside the house since the door is open, and the screen provides a clear view through to the backyard. To the left is a living room, simply furnished, to the right a staircase. Beyond that is the kitchen, and straight ahead is a set of sliding glass doors that lead to an outdoor patio. A pair of bare feet are visible, as is the edge of an Adirondack chair.

What I don’t account for is the presence of Lilah’s dog, lying beside her outside. She’s brought him by my parents’ house a couple of times. He’s too friendly to be an actual guard dog, but he’s far more effective than a doorbell. I cringe as his ears perk and his head pops up. He jumps to his feet and barks a couple of times, then presses his nose against the screen, tail wagging.

“What’s up, Merk?” Lilah leans forward.

She can see through to where I’m standing under the porch light. I lift a hand and wave.

“Give me a minute.” I can hear the wryness in her voice.

If I wasn’t holding a bag of candy and a card, I’d shove my hands in my pockets, but that’s not an option, so I rock back on my heels and wait as she opens the sliding glass door. Merk tears across the kitchen and through the living room, running in a circle and stopping at the door with a single bark. He likes me. Possibly more than Lilah currently does. Probably is more like it.

“Merk, sit,” Lilah orders before flicking the lock and opening the door just enough that her body fits in the opening. When Merk makes a move to stand, she snaps her fingers. “Stay.” He whines but obeys. She turns her attention to me, eyes shifting to where my hands are clasped behind my back.

“How’d you get my address?”

“My parents have it in their address book because they’re old-school.” It’s a lie, but I don’t want to get Carmen in more trouble with Lilah than she already is. Although I’m sure it is in the book my parents keep by the phone.

Her lips are pursed and her cheeks are flushed. I bet she’s been drinking.

“Are you here for a reason, or were you planning to stand on my front porch and stare at my mouth?”

I fight a grin, glad she hasn’t lost the sass I always loved. I meet her hazel glare. “It wasn’t part of my plan, or my reason for stopping by.”

“My sister’s here, so … ” She trails off, not opening the door any farther. Clearly I’m not getting an invitation to come inside.

“Right. Of course. I wanted to drop this off. You can share or keep them to yourself—whatever you prefer.” I hold out the bag of candy and the card.

Lilah regards the offering before she reaches out slowly and takes it from me. “You brought me candy?”

“The flower shop wasn’t open; candy was the next best thing.”

“But why buy me candy at all?”

“To apologize for kissing you when I shouldn’t have.”

She lifts the bag, inspecting it. “Where in the world did you find honey licorice beehives, and God … There are a ton of Hot Lips in here.” She graces me with a small smile. “These were all my favorites.”

“Except for Sour Keys, because they were out. I don’t know if you like any of that stuff anymore or if you hate it like you seem to want to hate me, but I’d like another chance to find out, Lilah. I know I put a lot on you tonight and that you probably need some time, but I just want to know you again. I promise I’ll keep my tongue to myself from now on, unless otherwise requested.”

I’d apologize again, but I’m actually not all that sorry I kissed her. It confirmed what I already suspected, that the chemistry between us is still there. It gives me hope that if I’m careful, this friendship could eventually become more.