The last time Junie showed up unannounced, she’d proposed moving in with Leanne. “It’ll be fun,” she’d said. “Just like having a roommate! Think about it anyway. I miss you and we’re both single, so…”

A cold shudder ran through her. She’d lived through the joy of listening to her mother’s active love life through the walls, and she had no intention of experiencing it again. It wasn’t that she opposed Junie doing as she wished; Leanne just didn’t want to hear it. And the converse was also true: living with her mom meant she couldn’t bring people home as she pleased. Silently, she shook her head.

“Arguing with yourself mentally?” Trev asked.

The question surprised her. He was sharper than he initially seemed, quietly paying attention to every detail. She forced a smile.

“Mother-daughter stuff. It’ll be fine.”

He didn’t press the issue, and she drove the rest of the way in silence. He lived relatively near Danica and Clem, in a similar neighborhood, though the lots were a little bigger and farther from downtown St. Claire. She pulled into the drive, but she didn’t go all the way to the house.

Trev turned to her with a tentative smile. “This is it, I guess. Not sure if I’m supposed to ask, so I’ll make it a statement instead. I’d like to see you again. You said something about swapping numbers, but I understand if you’re not into it, if this was a one-time thing or whatever.”

Normally, she’d flash a smile and say “This was fun” and that would be the end. But he so clearly expected she had no use for him that she couldn’t stick to the usual script. “Give me your phone.” Leanne held out her hand imperiously.

Wearing a baffled expression, he unlocked it and passed it over. Silently, she created a new contact and keyed in her number. His tense posture eased when she returned it.

“Taking this as permission to call you. Thanks for an amazing night.”

Before she could respond, he kissed her cheek and hopped out of the car, sauntering toward the house with a certain confidence in his step. Hard to believe getting her number boosted his mood so much, but she found herself smiling as she backed out of the drive. Crap, look at the time. She sped over to the condo and crept inside like a thief. Fortune favored her: Junie was asleep in the guest room, freeing Leanne to freshen up and change her clothes. She was in and out in fifteen minutes.