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

went from door to door, people either instantly knew who they were or stared at them blankly. Either way, Liam’s candy haul was piling up at a swift rate.

Leah was having fun. Being in the crowd and part of things was infinitely more fun than merely handing out candy. Even if it wasn’t real life. She frowned and Cade noticed.

“You okay?”

When she didn’t respond, he went on.

“We’re just gonna loop around up here and head back to the truck,” Cade pointed at the cul de sac ahead.

“Aw, Dad, really?”

“We’re still going to hit the houses on that side, bud,” Cade assured him, making the ROUS boy happy. Liam ran ahead to the next house, but Cade held Leah back.

“You didn’t answer me, Princess,” he teased yet she knew he was serious too.

“I just wish it was real,” she confessed.

“It is real. I don’t understand how, but it is, right?” Cade looked to her for confirmation and she nodded.

“Real enough, for now,” he added, giving her a chaste kiss since they were on the street surrounded by children.

“Mom, look!”

Leah’s head popped up in surprise. She was immediately attacked by two Disney princesses.

“Aunt Leah!” they both cried. Allison was oohing and aahing over her dress while Emmie stared up at Cade. Lily was eyeing him too. As Liam rushed back with his mask pushed up, Leah saw understanding dawn on her sister’s face.

“Well, Cade Emerson,” Lily looked from Cade to Leah, then back at Cade. “Haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Lily,” Cade nodded awkwardly. “Good to see you. This is my son, Liam.” He shifted his gaze to Leah and the girls.

“Cade and Liam, I’d like to introduce you to my nieces, Elsa and Anna.”

Allison and Emmie giggled.

“Your majesties,” Cade gave them a proper bow, causing even more giggles.

“I’m a ROUS!” Liam proclaimed proudly. Both girls stared at the boy for several seconds before Allison spoke.

“I dunno what that is. But a giant rat is awesome!”

Liam, clearly pleased, grinned broadly.

Emmie, however, did not look convinced. She was clearly skeptical and grabbed her mom’s hand. She was eyeing Cade though, not Liam.

Lily made their excuses and took both girls off to the house Liam had just left. Liam pulled his Dad forward and Leah stood alone for a second, watching her sister and nieces walk away. Emmie looked back at her for a brief second and smiled. It gave Leah the oddest feeling.

“Come on, Princess!”

Cade’s voice pulled her back. Dismissing any thoughts about her niece, Leah picked up the hem of her dress and rushed to catch up.

Chapter 18

Leah woke up lamenting the loss of the dress. It was gorgeous and she felt so pretty in it. Cade made her feel beautiful and being with him had made the dress extra special. What she was feeling was not just about the dress. She knew deep down she was sad because she woke up and was no longer with Cade. The truth was overwhelming.

Her brain wouldn’t let it go. Her thoughts bounced from her insecurities, to how Cade made her feel, and what she really wanted from her life. She felt unsettled and distracted for most of the day.

By the time Leah got home from work though, she had a new worry on her mind. She had not realized she would need a costume to take her nieces trick-or-treating. She would have to improvise. Leah quickly flipped through her closet, threw a few things together, and headed out the door.

On the way to Lily’s house, Leah used the car’s bluetooth feature to phone Eric. The call went straight to voicemail, so she left him a message.

“Hey, it’s me. You didn’t answer so you’re probably at the gym. Just wanted to remind you I’m headed to my sister’s to help with the girls tonight. You know, for trick-or- treating. There’s leftover chicken in the fridge if you get hungry,” she realized she was rambling but couldn’t seem to stop herself. “I’ll be home later. If I don’t see you, have fun at your party tomorrow. So, yeah, um . . .”

Unsure how to end the message, she quickly added, “Happy Halloween,” and pushed the button on the steering wheel to end the call. She groaned, wishing she’d waited and texted Eric instead. Too late now. She put it from her mind, focusing on the road.

Leah liked driving, especially larger vehicles. Eric, however, insisted they only needed one car. Something small and efficient since they both lived and worked downtown. It did make sense but Leah missed the freedom of having her own vehicle, of being able to just get out and go.

Part of her wanted to just keep driving. Instead, she pulled into her sister’s driveway. She double-checked her makeup before getting out of the car. Leah shook her head at the little hybrid she had just exited. It was all Eric. She shook her head again and headed up the walk.

“She’s here! She’s here! She’s here!”

Leah laughed. Even through a closed door, her niece’s excitement could not be contained. It was typical Allison with her outgoing personality.

As the door opened, it was the quieter little Emmie on the other side. Leah was taken aback but smiled at the wholehearted greeting.

“Oh,” Emmie’s bright smile faded. “Hi, Aunt Leah.”

Leah was so surprised at the abrupt change in Emmie that she knelt down right in the doorway. She spoke quietly to her niece.

“What’s the matter, Em?” When Emmie’s eyes filled with tears, Leah opened her arms and the girl melted into her. Leah picked her up, used her foot to close the door, and took them over to the couch. After the worst of the tears had passed, she tried again. “Want to talk about it?” Leah felt Emmie shrug, so she just continued to cuddle her.

After a few long moments and several gulps of breath, Emmie regained her composure. She looked up at her aunt. “It’s dumb,” she said shaking her head.

“Hmm. If it upset you this much, maybe it’s not so dumb,” Leah