He knew the Shops at Don Mills. It was exactly the sort of spot he could imagine his parents. Vibrant, lots to do, but no upkeep, no need to drive. So Amy was going to get his mom touring around spots like that, and maybe the stubborn old woman would start to see the possibilities. And because she thought she was helping Amy, the angel who had delivered her grandbaby, she would have the perfect cover.
His mother looked at his father, and Amy shot Dax a wink.
The woman was pure genius. He wanted to kiss her in gratitude.
Actually, he wanted to do more than kiss her.
After some logistical wrangling, his mother bit. They made arrangements for Amy to pick her up next Wednesday evening. “We’ll just do a little bit, so I don’t take up too much of your time,” Amy said. “We can go again the following week.”
He noticed he hadn’t been invited and was about to remedy the situation by barging in on their plans when Amy pushed back from the table and stood. “Thanks so much for dinner—excellent stroganoff once again, Mr. Harris—but I’ve got to be going. It’s been a long day.” She glanced at him but then quickly away. Was it his imagination or did her skin flush a little? When Kat came in wiping her hands on a dish towel, Amy smiled at his sister. “So I’ll see you and Gloria Saturday for the viewings.” Then she turned to his mother. “And you on Wednesday.” She clapped her hands. “Dates with three Harrises this week—lucky me.”
“Dax, drive Amy home,” his mother commanded.
Disconcerted by how quickly everything was moving—hell, disconcerted by the idea that Amy was apparently planning to hang out this coming week with nearly every member of his family except him—Dax stumbled to his feet to obey his mother.
“He can’t drive Amy home and mow your lawn,” Kat said. “I’ll drive her.”
It was true—the lawn came practically to midshin. Because they’d moved dinner to Kat’s place last week, he hadn’t been here for a couple weeks.
Just then Gloria, who had been sleeping in the living room, let loose an ear-splitting shriek.
“You go,” his mother said to him. “Your father can do the lawn.”
“I’m fine!” Amy said. “I was actually looking forward to walking to the subway. It’s such a beautiful evening.” She proceeded to shoot down everyone’s protests as she gathered her things. After they’d gotten out of bed this afternoon, she had changed into a pink floral sundress that was messing with his mind. How could someone who had been so wicked in bed come out the other side in such a demure dress, looking like an innocent Disney princess? The juxtaposition was maddening. It made him want to muss her up.
He followed her to the porch after she’d said her final good-byes and slipped on his shoes. “At least let me walk you to the subway.”
“No, thanks. Really.” She wasn’t meeting his eyes. Rummaging through her bag, she produced a pair of earbuds. “I’ve got my music. I’m good.”
When he tried to overrule her, she held up a hand. “It’s been a very…social day. I’m looking forward to a little solo walk.”
Okay. She didn’t want company. Message received. He wondered if he should kiss her good-bye, even just on the cheek, but before he could move, she’d hopped off the porch.
“Bye.” She waved, but she still wasn’t looking at him.
Right.
When she’d said, while they were having sex, that she wasn’t looking for anything serious, he’d agreed hurriedly, reflexively. It hadn’t been news to him—that had been the whole point, right? She’d been singing variations on the same refrain for weeks now. So he’d thought she was saying that, in the heat of the moment, to remind herself. To keep herself to her plan. Because Amy Morrison was nothing if not a planner.
He leaned against the doorframe and watched her disappear around the corner.
At the time, in the heat of the moment, he’d thought she was talking to herself.
But no. Apparently she’d been talking to him.
Because he’d needed to hear that.
He thought of Allison. And why he didn’t do relationships.
This was not good.
Chapter Thirteen
It wasn’t like she expected him to call. Why should she? She’d told him she wasn’t looking for anything serious, and apparently he’d taken her at her word.
Still, by the time Wednesday rolled around and Amy hadn’t heard a peep from Dax, hadn’t even laid eyes on him at the office, she started to get a little weirded out. She was driving over to his parents’ house that evening to pick up his mother, for God’s sake.