Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Davin was disappointed at how he’d turned turkey and raced out of Chloe’s room after her nightmare. As he replayed it in his mind, he realized he had been in the ideal position. He should’ve leaned in, fused their mouths together, and kissed her long and deep.
She’d looked like the dream to end all dreams with her long hair tousled, her lips plump, and her eyes heavy-lidded from sleep.
And that strap of her tank top sliding off her shoulder.
.. He wasn’t mature enough in relationships to know how to react in that moment, so he’d predictably fled.
It reinforced how pathetic he was with women, especially his dream woman.
The next day went all right. It was Saturday and raining incessantly, so they went to the only gym in town with Jaxon.
Davin lifted weights with the sheriff and Chloe did Pilates in a nearby room where they could see her.
He liked watching her exercise and hoped that didn’t make him creepy like Larry.
After the gym, they ate the leftovers from her delicious casserole and French toast bake.
Then they went to her shop and both worked.
The hours went fast as rain pattered against the windows and Davin typed quickly on his keyboard.
His book was drawing closer to the final battle.
Lemmon was proving himself proficient as an FBI agent and at wooing women.
He and Dresden were growing closer. If only Davin could take a page from his character’s playbook.
That night, Adam picked up and delivered their takeout order from the El Castillo, the Mexican place in town. He had to acknowledge the flirtatious, young officer seemed like a good guy.
Davin and Chloe hunkered down with the storm outside and the gas fireplace on and watched A Knight’s Tale. It felt significant as the line from the writer Jeffrey Chaucer was one of the first things he’d quoted to Chloe. When she’d come back with another line from Chaucer, he’d fallen half in love.
He edged closer to Chloe throughout the movie, not even shying away, and tried not to blush during the romance scenes. Their arms were pressed together by the midpoint, and their hands even brushed a few times. It felt cozy and perfect to be close and watching a movie.
Sadly, he was too inexperienced to progress the hand brushes. He beat himself up after they said their goodnights. Why hadn’t he wrapped his hand around hers?
The next morning, there was a break in the rain.
They went on a long walk on the beach with Officer Griffin following them and then got ready and headed to church with the sheriff trailing them in his truck.
They’d received a text that Garcia had stolen the offering box from a church in San Francisco, knocking down the pastor as he escaped.
Several of the patrons had identified him.
He was getting ever closer. Jaxon decided they’d better have someone with them round the clock.
It was unnerving. Church would be a good break from worrying about Garcia heading their way.
The guy was fearless and larger than life.
Davin hoped he would get caught as he wasn’t afraid to show his face.
Why come to America and especially to the western coast if not to find Davin for his revenge?
Garcia would blend in better and have less specialized police or the FBI searching for him in South or Central America.
Walking into church side by side, Davin and Chloe entered the chapel the moment Pastor Josh rose to his feet to greet everyone at the pulpit. Davin could’ve sworn the pastor winked at them. Chloe’s mom waved happily, and many in the congregation turned their way. Only Robinette wore a deep frown.
“Gossip fodder,” Jaxon murmured from behind them.
Davin glanced over his shoulder. Jaxon grinned and slid into an empty spot. Davin felt it was natural to place his hand on the small of Chloe’s back and guide her into the only empty pew. Row two.
His neck, face, and chest were too warm. Whether that was due to all the stares or to the smooth curve of Chloe’s back under his fingertips and the way she looked in her blue dress, he couldn’t be sure.
As they sat, he slid his arm around the back of the bench. Chloe glanced up at him, her green eyes filled with sparks of gold. It was instinctive to cup her shoulder with his palm. His heart took off at a sprint when she leaned into his side.
It was hard to catch a full breath, calm down, and attempt to listen.
He wasn’t concerned with the speculation about their relationship status or the many glances thrown their way.
Having Chloe pressed against his side, smelling her soft vanilla scent, and having her occasionally glance up from under her lashes and share a sweet smile with him was why he was so out of breath.
Could this continue after church? When they were alone?
He could ask for help with romance in his manuscript as an excuse again, or he could be the daring man he prided himself on and jump off the cliff, so to speak.
Admit how much he liked her, supplicate her to give him a chance, and finally kiss her.
That would be the bravest leap of his life. He feared he’d have no parachute or safety harness. If Chloe rejected him, he would splat on the concrete surface hundreds of feet below. Game over.
Right now, though, she wasn’t rejecting him. When she glanced up and moistened her lips, he almost bent down and kissed her in front of everyone.
Davin had no clue what the sermon was about. He mouthed the songs, pretended to listen, tried to calm his heartbeat. But mostly, he savored every second of Chloe melting into his side.
After the last amen, they stood and stretched and unfortunately he had no reason to reach for her again.
Before he could escort her out, get her home, and make his move, her mom and dad appeared beside them.
“Ah, you beautiful people, you,” Esther exclaimed, reaching up to hug him as Nathan embraced Chloe. “You are coming to our house after the potluck dinner and spending the afternoon and evening with us.”
“Now, Esther…” Nathan reached out and shook Davin’s hand while Chloe hugged her mother.
“You can’t demand the young ones spend time with us.
As close as they cuddled through church, it looked to me like they’d prefer some time alone.
” He gave Davin a partially stern look, but the twinkle in his eyes contradicted any reprimand.
“Dad.” Chloe shook her head and rolled her eyes. “We’d love to come over.”
Truthfully, Davin did want to be alone with her.
He was encouraged and thought he might finally have a chance, but he wouldn’t say no to time with her family.
Family was important, and he didn’t spend near enough time with his.
He wanted to introduce her to his family, meet her sister, make future plans.
But he was getting way ahead of himself.
“Yes, we would love to come over,” he reaffirmed, reaching for Chloe’s hand and threading their fingers together. The movement was binding and invigorating.
Chloe smiled up at him, and he finally believed he was getting this romance thing right.
“Woo-ee,” Esther murmured. “You two are just gorgeous together. All right. I’ve got to go get my casserole out of the warming pan. See you outside.” She bustled off, and Nathan lifted a hand before following her.
Davin and Chloe walked slowly together out of church, greeting people as they went.
Adam stepped in their way in the aisle and folded his arms across his chest. The guy was built, and a police officer, and if Jaxon was to be believed, well trained in fighting.
Jaxon wasn’t the type to exaggerate or lie.
Still, Davin would ask Adam to step outside if the good-looking officer tried to flirt with Chloe right now.
Adam looked them over and a slow smile crept across his face. “Hey, beautiful.”
Davin’s free fist clenched, and his jaw and muscles went tight.
“You two look amazing together.” He pointed between them. “Is this a thing?”
He gave Chloe a quick side hug, like a brother or friend would do, and stepped back, extending his hand to Davin.
“It is,” Davin said, feeling Chloe startle beside him. He shook Adam’s hand and released it before reaching for Chloe’s hand again.
“Good for you two.” Adam clapped him on the shoulder and then strode down the aisle.
“We’re a thing?” Chloe murmured, glancing up at him.
“Can we talk? After your parents’ house?”
“Okay.”
Okay. It was a beautiful promise. Davin wanted to enjoy the time with her parents, but he could hardly wait to talk to Chloe, alone, and pray they could begin a relationship.