Chapter 70

Shirley

Life has returned to normalcy again - and although I know I should be grateful - I can’t help but feel I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for something else to go wrong. It’s all just too perfect, between Ron and Jean’s new relationship and the steadiness within the company’s arrangements. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I’m led to assume Keith feels the same way whenever I see him. He’s relaxed, yet cautious - his eyes always going toward the door during meetings as if he’s waiting for someone to barge in with bad news.

And maybe I am too, because as I hear a knock on my door tonight…my stomach nearly drops. Heart in throat, I go to answer the door, surprised when I find Keith standing there - though my skin buzzes at the sight of his semi-fancy clothes.

“Going somewhere?” I ask, tearing my eyes from the black button-up shirt that fits him perfectly.

“Yes, actually,” Keith responds. “My parents and I were going out to dinner.”

“Sounds fun,” I state. “Did you need me to do something?” I assume that’s why he’s come to visit me. Maybe he wants to remind me to keep the house locked up while he’s gone or take care of a task in their absence.

“Well, no,” Keith says. “I came to ask if you wanted to join us.”

“Join you?” I ask.

“Yes,” he replies with a nod. “Both my parents requested you come. We’d be happy to have you.”

We - meaning him included? Maybe it was a silly thing for me to read into, but for some reason I’d pulled the idea into my hands and held it right.

“Sure,” I allow myself to answer after a moment. “I just need to…freshen up.”

“Take your time,” Keith says then. “I’ll be waiting in the living room.”

From there, he walks away, leaving me to watch him as I stand there. However, I eventually snap out of my little trance and retreat back into my room. And I most certainly don’t take my time.

I get ready in a frenzy, throwing on a dress and heels that seem acceptable. I then make quick work of my hair and makeup, not wanting to make anyone wait on my account.

Once I’m ready, I head back out my door, finding Keith waiting exactly where he said he would be.

“Ready?” he asks as he stands up from the couch.

“Yes,” I tell him, but pause as he walks toward me. “Where are your parents?”

“They’re meeting us there,” Keith informs me. “They decided to catch a few drinks before dinner.”

I merely give a nod in response, allowing Keith to lead me along as we head out of the house. Soon, we’re secured in his car, pulling out the driveway and heading Goddess knows where. But I don’t mind as I’m more focused on the man at my side.

It’s the first car ride we’ve taken in a long time where tensions are not high. I wonder if Keith is also aware of the change, causing me to look toward him.

“You look nice tonight,” he says as soon as my eyes land on the side of his face. As usual, he’s left me at a disadvantage.

“Thank you,” I say. “So do you.” That has to be the truest thing I’ve ever said to him, but it’s also an understatement. Keith never looks just “nice.” He looks amazing, sexy, mouthwatering, and -

Goddess - why am I thinking all of these things? What has gotten into me? I try to stop my brain and bring my attention to a song quietly playing from the radio.

As if needing the noise, I reach toward it, turning it up so I can hear the lovely song. Immediately, I recognize the tune, making me hum along absentmindedly.

“You and your music,” Keith mutters beside me.

“Excuse me?” I ask, shooting him a look.

But he’s smiling, obviously being playful as he shakes his head. “You always turn it up whenever there’s a pop song.”

“This is a good song,” I insist.

“Whatever you say,” he replies.

“You don’t agree?” I challenge. “This is the station you had on.”

“Minor accident,” he insists, reaching for the switch now to change it. However, I quickly swat his hand away.

In turn, Keith laughs and the rare sound nearly causes me to wiggle.

“This is my car,” he insists.

“Yeah,” I throw out with a roll of my eyes. “But I’m riding shotgun - the passenger princess. That means I get to chose the music.”

Once more, Keith is shaking his head, but he doesn’t make another move to change the station. He just makes a similar sound of amusement.

“Alright then, princess,” he tosses out.

Oh. The nickname he uses does anything but calm me. Once more, my thoughts of Keith threaten to come back with a vengeance, but I desperately try to shove them.

But thankfully, I don’t have to sit in discomfort for long as Keith is now pulling up at the restaurant’s valet. After Keith hands over the keys, we head inside. And almost immediately, we find his parents already sitting at a nearby table.

“Shirley,” Ruth practically sings as we approach. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

The woman gives me a kiss on the cheek as I sit, causing me to smile.

“Thank you for inviting me,” I say. “This place looks nice.”

“It’s one of our favorites,” Arthur admits, giving his son a pat on the back. “Best steaks in town.”

Again, I’m smiling as I reach for the glass of wine they’ve already brought to the table. It’s light with a hint of spice as it hits my tongue.

“Keith,” Ruth says then. “I ran into Lily earlier today. She mentioned she was looking for you.”

I watch as Keith jaw ticks at his mother’s words, though he barely gives a shrug in reply.

“I haven’t seen her at the meetings lately,” Arhur says next.

Now that he mentions it…neither have I. Really, I try to ignore the woman and the daggers she points in my direction, but I had failed to notice until now that she’s been absent.

“Guess she needed some time off,” Keith states, but offers nothing more. Instead, he takes his own drink of wine.

I can’t help but feel there’s something he’s not telling us, but it seems none of us are willing to press him on the matter.

“Oh, Shirley,” Ruth begins. “I meant to tell you - I found the most amazing recipe for an apple pie!”

The dinner carries on that way, all of us in a good mood as Keith’s share stories. They even discuss how they came to discover their own mating bond.

“It was summer then,” Ruth says as she smiles at her husband. “I was standing in line for the Ferris wheel at the town carnival. And then I felt this tether, heard a voice telling me to look to my left. So I did…and there was Arthur staring at me like I put the stars in the sky.”

“Well, to be fair,” Arthur begins with a laugh. “That’s because I did.”

As the couple exchange a quick kiss, I feel my gaze lower as if I’m not meant to see the shared moment. But my eyes continue to move on their own accord as I sneak a glance toward Keith. What I don’t expect is for him to also look my way as well.

Following the stories, we finish our meal and pay the bill. However, as Keith and I prepare to leave, his parents tell us they're going to meet up with some friends.

Once we’ve returned back to the house, Keith and I go inside, both of us stopping in the doorway as the rooms are silent within.

“Did you have fun?” Keith asks me, speaking for the first time since we left the restaurant as he begins to walk with me down the hall.

“I did,” I admit. “Your parents are so lovely. Thank you again for inviting me.”

“No problem,” he says as we stop in front of my bedroom door. “It’s nice to have extra company.”

I give a smile as we stand together, unable to stop the emotion from laying over my face. However, I’m then nodding toward my door.

“Well, this is me,” I joke and Keith raises a brow with humor.

“Your home within my home?” he asks, referring to the room.

I give another smile, shaking my head. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”

I see it then. The way Keith’s smile seems to falter, his gaze losing some of its light. It causes me to blink as I wonder what it all means.

“Are you going back to the west…?” Keith asks then, a little more serious. “Once the job is over?”

I nod back, feeling the familiar hint of my remorse. “I am.”

Keith holds my gaze for a moment, but eventually he nods as he presses his lips together.

“What?” I find myself asking, fixated on his reactions.

“Nothing…I just,” he tries, looking as if he’s going to say more. But then he’s shaking his head. “Nothing.”

A strange disappoint hits me then, though I’m not sure what I expected him to say. I’m not even sure what I would have wanted him to say, so instead I just nod back.

But then I notice Keith’s eyes back on mine, clock the motion of his hand moving at his side. I don’t have to wonder for long what he plans to do, soon feeling his fingertips dancing across my temple as he brushes my hair away.

I can’t take my eyes off him, too scared to move as this is the first semi-intimate touch we’ve shared in weeks. But when the gentle touch of his fingertips hits me hard.

And it hits Cicy even harder. Between two breaths, she suddenly springing awake inside of me.

Cicy, I whisper even as I stare at Keith in wonderment. What the hell is going on?

It takes a moment for Cicy to respond due to her excitement, but when she does, my eyes grow wide and I feel myself instantly pull away from Keith.

“I should get some sleep,” I force out as I see him stare at me in surprise. But I’m already stumbling into my room. “Thank you… again.”

Those are the last words I manage before I shut the door behind me, my palms still against the wood as I address Cicy again.

What did you say? I hiss out.

Mate, Cicy replies. I think Keith is our mate.