First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

Cade made the introduction. “Sky, this is my girlfriend Leah.”

Leah had expected another version of “my friend Miss Leah” like he had given Liam. But he called her his girlfriend. Leah liked the sound of that. Sky’s face said she didn’t. Instead, she changed the subject.

“Um, okay nice to meet you. But uh, Dad . . .” Sky hedged, “don’t we need to get going?” She gestured toward the door with her head.

“Oh, that’s right!”

“Yay! Corn maze!” Liam cheered.

“It’s our October family tradition. Join us?” Cade invited her eagerly.

“Yeah, come with us, Miss Leah. It’s fun!” Liam shook her arm with excitement.

“Easy there, bud. She’s been roughed-up enough for one day.” He turned to Leah, “Come with us, please?”

“But Dad!” The teen had found her voice. “This is a family tradition. Key word being family. And she’s not—”

“Skyler, do not be rude!” Cade cut her off decisively.

“I don’t want to intrude,” Leah spoke directly to Cade. “Cade, this is a family thing and it seems to mean a lot to Sky. If she doesn’t want me to come, I won’t go.” Her voice was soft but firm.

He started to protest but his cell phone rang.

“Sh—crap, this is work. I gotta take this.” He had jumped up and was almost out of the room when he turned back. “Sky, be nice. Leah, don’t leave.” He left the room answering the call with, “This is Cade.”

The room was silent for several long moments. Leah could feel Sky’s eyes on her. She sat and waited.

“Oh!” Liam jumped up. “I gotta go get it!” He ran from the room without explaining.

Sky shrugged. The silence felt awkward and Leah hoped either Cade or Liam would return soon.

“I didn’t need you to defend me.”

Sky’s tone was harsh. Her expression reflected her displeasure, distorting her attractive face.

Leah kept that perception to herself. She deliberately responded calmly. “You know how stubborn your dad is. I thought it might take both of us to convince him,” she shrugged.

“Yeah, ain’t that the truth.”

“I know you don’t know me, but . . .”

“Why are you being so nice? Would you really do it? Not go with us if I say so? Dad will lose his sh—be mad.”

“Nice save,” Leah laughed. “And I’m being nice because I am nice. And ’cause it seems like the right thing to do and yes, I’d not go today on your word. I’ve already said as much.”

“But Dad wants you to and so does Liam. They’ll beg and you won’t be able to resist them. And why do you care what I say?”

Leah looked at Sky, trying to remember how old Cade said she was. Regardless of the actual number, she was in that fourteen-going-on-twenty group. Still a kid in many ways but also almost an adult. Leah chose to speak to her as such.

“Here’s the deal. I like your Dad a lot. And you and Liam are his number one priority, as it should be. Now, I could force my way in but what good does that do any of us in the long run? What kind of relationship would I be building if I wasn’t truly welcome? What if I caused a rift between you and your dad?”

Leah shook her head. “I care about him enough to not want to do that to him. I’m not saying I’m going to try to be your new best friend but if you really don’t want me to intrude on your family tradition, I will respect that. Hopefully you’ll show me the same courtesy.”

Leah had said her piece just in time. Liam returned on a run, waving a book in the air. She hoped Sky would consider her words. She turned and gave her full attention to Liam.

“Found it!” he cried triumphantly. “I got it at the library, a whole book about capybaras!”

Leah set the ice pack aside as Liam crawled onto her lap. Together they looked at the book. Liam showed her his favorite photos and all the new things he had learned. Interacting with Liam was easy and natural. She glanced at Sky and found the girl watching them. Sky’s gaze was just as harsh as it had been on the porch when she perceived Leah as a threat. Apparently, Sky’s feelings about her had not wavered.

Leah sighed. An uphill battle, indeed.

Chapter 13

“Okay, I’m back. Sorry, I have a small crew doing a side project today and they had a couple questions. Ready to go?”

“I’ll get my jacket!” Liam quickly scampered off.

“Use the bathroom before we go!” Cade called after him. Shrugging, as if he may or may not have been heard.

“I’m ready,” Sky stood. She crossed her arms and looked at Leah expectantly.

Leah rose and went to Cade. He took her injured hand in his, turning it over to check her scraped palm.

“It’s fine,” she insisted.

Cade searched her face. Leah thought he might insist she join them. Instead, he sighed and pulled her close, his hands resting low on her hips. He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Leah,” his voice was barely audible.

She lifted her head, placed her palm to his cheek, and kissed him gently. Leah wished she could stay but knew what she needed to do. Disengaging from Cade, she stepped back. “I’ll see you later.”

She turned to Sky, “It was nice to finally meet you, even if in such an unexpected way.” Leah took a few steps toward the door and called out, “Bye, Liam. See you later!” As she headed to the hall, Liam came running.

“Wait!” He barreled into her for a hug, clearly disappointed she was leaving.

She tousled Liam’s blond hair and told him to have fun. Leah allowed herself one more look at Cade. She met his blue eyes. He was no happier than his son. When no one spoke, Leah nodded and moved toward the door. She turned the handle and was pulling the door open when she heard it.

“Wait.”

It was Sky who spoke this time. Leah