Emmett’s chair was next to hers, his steady presence at her side an indulgence she’d missed. Conversation moved to Callie, and she caught them up on her life. “That’s pretty much it, until Emmett brought home a woman in a bridal gown.”
Heat climbed up Regina’s neck and settled into her cheeks. Callie was clearly teasing her, but she was afraid the Haywoods would get the wrong impression of her.
Underneath the table, Emmett’s hand found hers, and Regina squeezed, silently warning him that she might not let go for the rest of the night.
>
Emmett stepped onto the back patio with Regina, who’d slipped outside to answer a call. She hadn’t immediately fled after dinner, which he took as a good sign. But there was a tenseness in her posture that hadn’t been there before.
“Everything all right?”
Her breath came out in a white puff. “Yeah.”
He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t give me the interrogator bad-cop glare.”
“Hard not to when I know that something’s up.”
“Not in the now, which is what I’m going to focus on. Right now.” She smiled and tilted her head toward the trampoline. “I haven’t been on one in years. I used to be really good at them.”
“Let me guess. You had goals and a plan.”
“I did. Achieved them too.” She started across the lawn. “Come on. Let’s see if I’ve still got it.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” he said.
She lifted her chin, a haughty expression on her face. “I’m not sure doubting my skills is a good idea.”
They reached the edge of the trampoline. “Fine, but if you get hurt …”
She boosted herself onto the padded edge. “You’ll leave me to bleed out?”
“Graphic, but no.”
“You’ll arrest me for trespassing?”
“Most likely not, but that’s because my mom would have to agree to press charges, and she already likes you too much.”
Sadness edged her smile. “I like her too.” Then she arched an eyebrow. “So glad to know you have my back.”
He stepped closer so that her knees were against his stomach, and placed his hand on her thigh, dragging his thumb over the top of the snowflake leggings she had on underneath a “Live, Love, Ride” snowmobile sweater. “You know I do.”
Her lips parted, and he wanted to close the distance and taste them. But he forced himself to remain in place.
She cleared her throat and pushed to her feet. “So …” She bounced lightly, as if testing the elasticity and recoil of the trampoline. “What’ll you do if I fall during my big stunt?”
“Probably just say ‘I told you so.’”
She bounced higher. “How about we make a wager …?”
“Now gambling is something I’ll arrest you for.”
Her laugh split the chilly air and left a white puff around her head like a halo. “How about, if I do a flip, you owe me a dance at the party this weekend? And if I don’t, I owe you one.”
He grinned, and she clapped her hands together.
“I got a full smile with teeth! I rule!” She bounced up again and again. Then she flipped. The landing was wobbly, but her excitement over it was solid.