When I arrived at her house the next evening, I was ready for the worst.
Jace Todds answered the door and frowned at me like I’d shit on the carpet. The kid had a dark gaze that screamed future sociopath. I didn’t want to know what kind of douche he’d be in his teens. Yet he let me inside after giving me the once over.
Moments later, Harlow appeared with Winnie hiding behind her. They were both dressed in jeans, boots, and blue sweaters. Harlow looked nice, but Winnie was like an angel with her long dark hair pulled up in a ponytail. I couldn’t tell if she was wearing makeup, but her lips were pink and perfect.
A lot of men might have been upset to find their date unwilling to make eye contact. Winnie’s gaze was so focused on the floor that I thought she might never look at me. I didn’t care though. I needed to be near her. Besides, the hope that one day she might look at me again was enough to satisfy me.
Yet Winnie peeked at me and her gaze made my heart race. I was even struggling against tightening jeans, but her father’s appearance put an end to that problem.
Tad Todds wasn’t a big guy like many of the Reapers. He had a wiry build, affable face, and dark red hair. Tad was a nice religious fellow who would have me killed if I crossed him.
“Good news,” Harlow said without looking too thrilled. “We’re doing the chaperone thing and I’m the third wheel. Yippee.”
Tad smiled. “I thought since this was Winnie’s first date that a chaperone would be helpful.”
“Okay,” I said instantly.
I didn’t give a shit if the whole family came along. I needed to be close to Winnie. Looking pleased with my agreement, Tad hugged Winnie then Harlow.
“You girls be home by eleven.”
Harlow saluted him then took Winnie’s hand and headed for the door. I followed them into the cold evening. Tugging her coat tighter, Winnie shivered then looked upward. Harlow and I followed her gaze to find a star-filled sky.
“Where are we eating?” Harlow asked.
“I don’t care,” I said. “I mean, wherever you want.”
“Is Red Lobster too expensive because I could really go for stuffed flounder?”
Giving her a slight smile, I focused my gaze on Winnie who was still looking up at the stars. “Red Lobster will be great.”
Winnie suddenly looked at me and smiled for only a moment before turning away. The moment was enough for me to live off for an eternity.
In the SUV, Harlow sat in the backseat then leaned over the seat to play buffer between Winnie and me.
“You like this old 1970’s music, huh?” Harlow asked, making conversation since Winnie couldn’t.
“Yeah. My dad always hates it, so I knew it must be good.”
“Your dad is on the city council, right? The tall guy who smells likes peppers.”
I grinned at Harlow and nodded. “He does smell like peppers. It’s his cologne.”
“I personally wouldn’t know, but that’s how Mom described him. She’s not a fan.”
“Few people are.”
“He owns a car dealership too. Car salesmen are notoriously sneaky. Are you sneaky, Dylan?”
Winnie had been staring out of the window until this last question. She frowned at Harlow whose grin widened.
“Yeah, I’m sneaky,” I said, glancing at the two of them.
“Honest though. Good to know.”
Winnie’s frown eased and she returned to staring outside.
“As you probably know,” Harlow continued, “Bailey gifted Winnie to Lark who is on bed rest. I am happy to report that Winnie loves her new job and looks forward to helping with the twins.”
When I smiled at Winnie, she kept her head down. I did catch her grinning though.
“Next week, I’m turning Aaron’s gym into a nursery. Doing the project myself to make sure it gets done right.”
“Well let’s hope this date goes well. Can you imagine how awkward it’ll be for you and Winnie to see each other, if you mess up and order the wrong thing at dinner?”
Now I frowned at Harlow who leaned back into the seat. “What a shame it would be for you to make that mistake.”
Concerned, I struggled to remember if the Todds had a religious problem with any foods. I studied Harlow in the rearview and found her grinning. When I peeked at Winnie, she was smiling too.
“She’s messing with you,” Winnie whispered.
“Well it worked.”
When Winnie covered her mouth and laughed, Harlow sat forward again and nudged my shoulder.
“I got her to talk, didn’t I?” Harlow said. “Yeah, I have a way of making people do what I want. I really ought to be a shrink,” she added, sitting back into her seat. “Or a con artist.”
“Or a car salesman,” Winnie whispered.
Harlow laughed. “That’s cold.”
I smiled at the sisters teasing each other. Winnie caught me watching them and the confidence deflated out of her. Crossing her arms, she stared out of the window. I thought I caught her pinching her hands too.