Seven Days

Chapter Twelve

December 8th

Wednesday

Syd bit back a sigh as Frerin eased to a stop in front of Gram's house and eased the transmission into park. He turned to her. "So, have you thought about where you'd like to go tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow? I thought you'd want to wait until Friday?"

He grinned. "Why would I want to wait an extra day?"

"Because you're only getting off work tomorrow morning?"

"If it's quiet, it won't be a problem. It's not like I'll be up the entire twenty-four hours. That only happens if we have a busy night. Otherwise, I sleep at the firehouse like any other night." He reached over to trace his forefinger along her cheek. "And if it's a busy night, I'll push through."

"It's okay if you want to wait," she told him, fighting to keep her eyes from closing at the gentle touch. It had been such a wonderful night and she hated to see it end.

"I don't want to wait, Syd." His finger slowed, then went still. "I've waited long enough."

"Frerin."

"What? I have. So, pick a place and that's where we'll go and if there's anything else you want to do, just say the word."

She just held his gaze for a long moment. "I'll have to give it some thought."

"So, give it some thought. I'm not going anywhere." He lowered his hand and turned back to stare out the windshield. "Maybe I'm rushing things here, Syd, and if you think so, say something, okay? I mean, I know I've given you more than enough reason to not trust me, and I know I can't fault you for not trusting me. But, I swear to you, I'm not playing with you. I'm not fooling around this time. I'm not doing anything other than trying to convince you I'm a decent guy. That's all. And I don't mean the I was nice to you so you owe me sex kind of decent guy."

She just stared at him for a long moment, her heart speeding up with the one question that had plagued her since he'd come back into her life. "But why now?"

"I—you popped into my head the other day and I just couldn't stop thinking about you. And that's when I came by Miss Fortune's Crystal and since then, I still can't stop thinking about you. I'll be at work doing whatever later on today, tonight, whatever, and I guarantee you, you'll be on my mind."

There wasn't a trace of amusement in his voice, no indication whatsoever that he was anything other than sincere. And he looked utterly seriously as he spoke. His aura offered up no hint that he was lying, as auras could sometimes betray such a thing. In fact, there was a bit more yellow in his aura, which meant whatever weighed him down even only yesterday had begun to lift somewhat.

"Come on," he tugged the keys from the ignition, "let me walk you up. I mean, unless your grandmother or sisters are going to be lying in wait for me."

"No." She pushed open her door and climbed down, adding, "They knew we were going out and they know you, so, I suppose it's possible. I just don't think it's all that likely."

He came around the Jeep's hood, the wind blowing his hair into dark peaks. "Ah, but I am a changed man, remember?"

"Frerin," she offered up a long look, shaking her head, "a changed man? Really?"

"Really. You'll see." He draped his arm about her shoulders as they started up the front walk. "And when you do see, I promise not to gloat or say I told you so, or any of that."

She shook her head, clumping up the front steps. "And if I don't see it?"

"You will." He tightened that arm about her, and to her surprise, drew her flush against him. "Because I will prove it to you, honey. You'll see."