“A Southern accent with a side of sass,” Emily quipped.
Eve laughed while Paisley looked a little confused. “I think everyone is going to like you,” Eve said. “I’m so sorry we have to go, but I have a personal training appointment at eleven at my gym in Golden. Caleb talked us into staying last night, so now I need to rush.”
“It was lovely to meet you,” Emily said. “I hope I see you both again soon.”
“You’re lovely,” Paisley said, giggling as she tried to imitate her accent.
Emily grinned. This little girl was adorable. Her mind raced ahead to spending more time with Eve, Paisley, Caleb, and Krew. Paisley and Krew would have a great time together. She didn’t know nearly enough about Caleb’s family, only what she’d seen online, but she was pretty certain Eve wasn’t married. She’d introduced herself as Eve Jewel.
Caleb opened the back door of the Cherokee, and Eve lifted Paisley inside, fastening her car seat. Caleb leaned in and gave her one more squeeze. “See you soon. Love you.”
“Love me too!” Paisley giggled.
Caleb laughed and shut her door.
“I hope to see you again soon,” Eve said.
Emily shook her hand and said, “You too.”
Eve glanced up at Caleb. “Don’t start anything of hers on fire or scare her away with your sturdy tricks.”
Caleb laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. I save most of those for Seth now.”
“I heard about the sign at the airport,” Eve said dryly. She glanced at Emily and explained, “Last week he had a driver waiting at the Atlanta airport for Seth and Breeze with a sign—‘Welcome home from prison!’”
Emily giggled, and Caleb grinned. She loved his playful personality.
“You’ve got a story for me, little bro.”
Caleb looked over at Emily. “I’m hoping for a good one.”
Emily’s cheeks flushed with heat.
Caleb got his sister’s door and then walked over to stand by Emily while they pulled away, waving them out of the driveway. He turned to Emily, and his eyes lit up. “Now that we’ve kissed, I think that should be all we do if Krew isn’t here. Lacrosse at nights with Krew. Kissing all day.” He leaned toward her.
Emily put a hand on his chest, savoring the well-formed muscles under her fingertips. “I have to be done with this deal with Jeff first.”
“Oh, yeah.” Disappointment filled his face. “I pushed that loser from my mind.”
“Wish I could. Do you have a second? I have an idea I wanted to share with you.”
“Do I have a second for you?” Caleb’s gaze swept over her face, making her feel like she was a supermodel, not a single mom who’d just run ten miles. At least it was cold enough that she wasn’t sweaty and stinky. “Always,” he said in a deep voice that resonated through her.
He took her hand and led her into his house. Emily loved having her hand in his, but they were pushing the envelope. She was terrified that Jeff might somehow find out, and she also had to live with herself.
Caleb led her into the kitchen area and asked, “Can I get you some water, Gatorade, a smoothie, breakfast? I make a mean omelet.”
Emily smiled. “Water’s great. Thank you.”
He got out two water bottles and handed her one. “Would you like to sit?”
She shook her head. “I’d better not. If I get too comfortable here, I’ll set up camp and never want to leave.”
“How’d you know that’s on my list of top ten daydreams?” he asked.
Emily quivered from the depth of meaning in his eyes and words, and she had no sassy comeback. He daydreamt about her? Oh my.
Caleb took a drink of his water, and she followed suit. The cold liquid tasted great after her long run. He tilted his head and smiled. “I love you in running clothes.”