“It’s a dump,” I bite out.
Just can’t fucking help myself,I think with an inward groan.
The neighborhood’s sketchy.The locks on her door are flimsy.Her car’s falling apart.The thought of her here alone makes my blood boil.
She hops out, and I climb out on my side.We glare at each other over the hood for a second, and then she lets out a harsh breath.
“You know what?”she snaps, slamming my car door hard enough to rattle the frame.She pins me in place, eyes blazing.“You don’t get to judge me, Hayes.You don’t know me.You don’t know what I’ve had to give up to chase this stupid dream.So maybe keep your grumpy, broody comments to yourself.”
Her fire hits me square in the chest.Irritation and admiration war inside me, but the need wins out.
Fuck, I need her.
Before I can think better of it, I’m rounding the hood and closing the space between us, my hand sliding to cup her jaw.Her breath hitches, her lips part, and then I’m kissing her.
Hard.Hungry.Like I’ve been starving for this since the moment she walked into that press room.
She gasps against my mouth, then fists her hands in my jacket and kisses me back with just as much fire.The world tilts.Everything I’ve been trying to hold back ignites in a single, reckless spark.
Her lips are soft, her body pressed flush against mine, and I swear I could lose myself in her right here on this cracked sidewalk.
When I finally tear myself away, we’re both breathing hard.Her lips are swollen, her eyes wide and dazed.
My mind is blank, and I know I have to leave before I do something stupid like fuck her on the hood of my car.Without a word, I turn and slip into the driver’s seat, shifting into drive without a second glance—I save that until I’m at the end of her street, idling at a stop sign.
Elle is still there, her cheeks flushed from the cold, staring after me.I would give everything I have to know what she’s thinking at this moment, but I hit the gas before I can turn around and offer her that deal.
Drive, I tell myself, because I know that if I don’t put distance between us right now, I won’t ever be able to let her go.
Chapter Five
Elle
I wake up extra early the next morning so I can walk back to the diner and try to fix my car.But when I step outside, I’m surprised by the sight of my car in its usual spot.
“How did—”
Declan, I realize.He must have had it towed back here.
That was nice of him… and weird.He’s so hot and cold.I can’t keep up, and honestly, I’m starting to get tired of his mood swings.
Well, now that my car has been dealt with, I have time to head into the office before I need to be at the rink for today’s game.
I’m dressed down today, but I decide it’s okay for right now.I unlock my car and send up a silent prayer that it starts before I put the key in the ignition and turn.The car purrs to life, and I blink.
Did Declan have my car fixed?I don’t even know what was wrong with it.How could he have done all that in such a short amount of time?
I decide to ask him when I see him later.I pull out of the lot and head toward the Maple Creek Gazette.The lot is sparsely filled, so I park near the front door and head in.
It’s dark as I walk to my desk, sighing as I set my things down.I plop into my seat and scrub my hands through my hair.
Is this what I want?I think as I look around at the depressing cubicles.
When I dreamed of being a reporter, I pictured a glamorous life.Instead, I’m stuck on a beat I don’t care or know anything about.I work in this dark little hovel with people decades older than me who never take me seriously.I have no life, no friends here, and what feels like no future.
My spirits sink, and I blink back tears.
Did I make a mistake?Am I going to be this lonely and miserable my whole life?
