“Funny.” His tone was dry. “I just don’t like people . . .”
“Getting close to you?” Peyton attempted to finish Darius’s thought.
Her question picked at a raw wound. “I have several good friends.”
“But you’re not dating.”
“How do you know that?” He ignored his stirring irritation.
Peyton’s throaty chuckle was like a daring caress across his lower abdomen. “If you were dating, your friends wouldn’t be trying to fix you up with someone.”
She had a point. “You said I was a player.”
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Her words were simple, direct, and fed his soul. Someone who kept her promises and admitted when she was wrong. He was growing more and more attracted to the little professor. “What made you change your mind?”
“I realized women were flirting with you, but you weren’t flirting back.” Peyton shifted to face him. “During the game this afternoon, did you notice the women who were trying to get your attention?”
“No.” He’d enjoyed Peyton’s company too much to notice anyone else.
“I didn’t think so.”
Darius slid a look at her as he came to a four-way STOP sign. Was it his imagination or had she sounded smug?
“I’m surprised you noticed anything that happened off the field.” He entered the intersection. “You seemed focused on the game.”
“It was hard to ignore so many people glaring at me.” She chuckled. “If looks could kill, I wouldn’t have made it to halftime.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I kind of liked it.”
Darius strained to hear her words. Startled, he looked her way. She was staring out the passenger side window, seemingly lost in thought. He didn’t know how to respond to her comment, so he said not
hing. The silence between them was comfortable.
The roads were quiet in Trinity Falls this evening. Barely a soul could be seen. The town was in mourning for its Heritage High School football team’s loss to their rival Sequoia. He’d commiserate with his hometown and alma mater—except he was too darn happy for Noah. His little brother was going to the state championship. Way to go!
“Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about cochairing the community center fundraising committee with me?”
Where had that question come from? “I haven’t given the committee any thought.”
“Could you think about it now?” She turned to him again. “Since you’re willing to drive me home, I take it you no longer care that your friends are trying to fix us up.”
Darius pulled into the parking lot of Peyton’s apartment building. It was a pretty, two-story building with eight units, black Spanish tile roofing and pale cream stonework. An ornate black metal staircase led residents and visitors to the second floor. The same metalwork framed the upper and lower balustrades.
“Which apartment is yours?”
“I’m surprised you don’t know.” Peyton gave him a cheeky grin. “I’m on the second floor.”
Darius studied the four units on the top level. “I’ll walk with you to your door.” He turned off his engine and pulled the key from the ignition.
“Is Trinity Falls dangerous?” Her bright eyes dimmed with the question.
“We’re not New York City, but you should never let your guard down wherever you are.” He opened his door and rose from his seat. He started to circle his car to assist her, but Peyton was already standing and closing the passenger door.
“I know what you’re doing.” Peyton waited for him to join her.