Free Show Me How to Love (Caldwell Family Book 1) by Synithia Williams Page A

appreciate you taking me home,” she said.
    He darted his eyes away from the road and glanced at her. “It was a given that I’d take you home on Friday.”
    She shrugged. “I know, but I still appreciate it. You didn’t even know my name yet you took me. Especially knowing how you feel about Ryan.”
    “From what I can tell, Ryan doesn’t deserve you.”
    And now, her insides radiated all warm and tingling. “Angelica doesn’t deserve you.”
    His dark eyes slid to her again. She gave him a small smile then turned to look out of the window. “So, I guess when you drop me off its goodbye.” She stared out the window at the trees whizzing by.
    Several beats passed with no response. Of course, this was goodbye. They had no reason to stay in touch.
    “Not necessarily. You did agree to check and see if I pick up a cigarette again.”
    The tension in her shoulders eased and she faced him. “I did. But I probably shouldn’t. Not after this morning.”
    He nodded slowly, but his thick brows furrowed as if he didn’t like the comment. She turned back to the window while he changed the satellite radio from a talk show to a classical station. She recognized the song from television, but not being a classical fan wasn’t sure of the composer.
    “That won’t put you to sleep?”
    “Classical helps me think.”
    She shifted away from the window to watch him. “What are you thinking about?”
    He squeezed and ran his hands along the steering wheel. “Work. We’re launching a new project soon. I really should have worked on that this weekend instead of going to the wedding.” His voice lacked its usual warmth. Now cool and aloof it was the same tone he’d used before they’d gotten stranded together. He’d already begun to distance himself from the weekend and her. Something she should do as well.
    Resting her head on the back of the seat, she closed her eyes and pushed back the sense of loss until the music lulled her to sleep.
    Several hours later, when Andre pulled into her apartment complex she woke. Using the back of her hand to smother her yawn, Mikayla checked the clock on the dash. He’d made excellent time.
    “We’re here already?”
    Andre chuckled, then looked at her with remnants of the softness she’d witnessed at the cabin. “Do you fall asleep every time you ride in the car?”
    “Actually I do,” she agreed with a grin.
    After giving directions to her building, they rounded the corner to her place. Renee’s Cadillac sat in front of her building. Mikayla groaned. Her friend must have left at the butt crack of dawn to arrive before them. Not surprising since Mikayla hadn’t answered any of her calls. Knowing Renee, she was worrying herself sick wondering where Mikayla was.
    “I’m not in the mood for this,” Mikayla said, unbuckling her seat belt.
    Andre parked and raised his brows. “In the mood for what?”
    “That’s Renee’s car next to us.”
    “Oh.”
    “Look, thanks for the ride, Andre.” She opened the door and jumped out. Half a second after, Andre hopped out and followed her to the back of the car. “I can take it from here.”
    “I’ll get your bag.”
    Mikayla checked out the window of her second-floor apartment. The blinds shifted. Renee had a key and was probably watching them now.
    She accepted her bag from him, pivoted on the balls of her feet taking two steps before changing her mind, and turned back. She opened her mouth to say…what? Call me. Hey let’s hook up one weekend. Please kiss me again? He admitted he didn’t want love, picked women who fit his lifestyle and showed no desire to change. Their two nights in the cabin were an anomaly.
    “Take care of yourself,” he said. At least the warmth had returned to his voice.
    “You too.” She gave him one last parting smile before turning and heading toward her apartment.
    On the way up the stairs, she tried to mentally prepare herself to talk with Renee. No matter how touching Renee’s show of concern,