“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’ll talk to you later. Tell Wren I said hello and I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Wait,” I say before he can hang up. “Can you do me a favor?”
He arrives faster than I would have thought possible. His Range Rover pulls up behind me and he jogs up to the front of my Jeep where I have the hood raised. The smoke has stopped so that’s a plus.
“Are you okay?” His brows pull together in concern as he looks me over. “You have to be freezing.”
He unzips his jacket without hesitation and wraps me up in it. It didn’t occur to me until this moment that I still haven’t put on my sweats, but now that I realize it, my legs are like icicles.
“Yes, but Wren should have landed ten minutes ago, and I still haven’t heard from her.”
“I’m sure she’s fine. With the weather they may have had some delays. What airline is she on?”
“Delta. What if she’s already there, waiting on me?”
“Breathe, baby. Everything’s going to be okay. Do you want to take my car and I can stay here with your Jeep until the tow truck comes or would you rather leave your key for the tow and let me be your chauffeur?”
“I—” I swallow hard. “I haven’t called a tow yet. I was trying to find the cheapest option.”
A new sort of shame washes over me. This has to be the lowest of lows. Bargain tow-truck shopping.
A tear slips out one corner of my eye but it’s so cold it doesn’t travel far. I am so embarrassed. Swiping at it, I add, “I told her I would be there at the baggage claim when she arrived. It isn’t like me to flake. She’ll be freaking out. She’ll probably think I got abducted or something with all the true crime shows she watches. Oh god, do you think something happened toher? She acts all tough but she’s so innocent and naïve. If someone hurt her?—”
One second I’m in a spiral, imagining all the worst-case scenarios, and the next his mouth is on mine. I squeak my surprise then melt into his warmth and that familiar spicy scent. His lips are a hard line but then my mouth goes slack and pliable and he kisses me for real. Hard and quick, sweeping his tongue in for just a taste before he pulls back.
His eyes are a warm brown and his cheeks are flushed from the cold. It’s the intense way he looks at me that finally snaps me out of it though. “Shit. I’m sorry. You were spinning. It was the fastest way I could think to get your attention.”
“I’m sorry.” Add epic meltdown to the list of mortifying things to happen today.
His mouth hitches up slightly on one side. This is the Travis I expected last night. Playful, sweet, quick to smile. “Take my vehicle and go pick up your sister.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to call a tow truck and get your Jeep dropped off at the repair shop.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he beats me to it.
“What’s mine is yours, Mrs. Bennett.”
“No.” I shake my head adamantly. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You aren’t asking and I’m not giving you a choice. Now go. You’re going to be late.”
“This is it,” I say, closing the door behind us as we walk into Travis’s house. There’s no sign of him here, though I expect he’s still dealing with my Jeep.
“Wow. This is nice.” Wren’s head tilts back as she takes in the space. “You really married up.”
I snort. Don’t I know it. I fight off the urge to spiral in money woes. There will be plenty of time for that after Wren leaves.
“I’m kidding.” She drops her backpack and walks over to me. “He’s a lucky bastard.”
She wraps her arms around me, exactly like she’d done in the airport, and I start crying for the second time today.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I breathe her in and when I exhale, every part of me feels more grounded. Her hair is several shades darker than mine. Not quite brown but a dark blond. She’s let it grow longer since she started college and she’s stopped fighting the natural curl that I’ve always loved. Wren is the only constant home I’ve ever known.
“Me too.” She pulls back, thankfully not noticing I’m a mess over here as she continues to look around the house. “Can we eat dinner soon? I’m starving.”
