“I’m in my car.” He nodded to a VW Bug that was hooked up to a pump.
“You drive a Bug?” That just didn’t compute.
“It’s going to be my sister’s in a month or so when she gets her license. I could only afford one car and I let her pick it out.”
I was listening but I was also very aware of how close he was standing to me. He smelled like leather, coffee, and…pie? It was almost enough to make me forget about my car.
“Do you have the number?”
For a second I was confused. Was he giving me his number? Did I miss something?
“What?”
“The number to the tow company.” He gestured to the sign that was on a pole right near where I’d left my car. “Aloha Towing Company.”
“Oh. Right.” I punched in the number and spoke to the guy. They had my car, but the impound yard was closed for the night. I was going to have to wait until the morning to get the car.
Ryder had gone back over to his car to finish getting gas, so I walked over to where he was.
“Thanks,” I said. “You were right. They have my car.”
He stood there staring at me for what felt like a full minute. Then he asked, “How are you getting home?”
“I’ll take an Uber or something.”
“Where do you live?”
“Banner Manor.”
His face registered surprise. “You live there? How did you end up there?”
“It’s kind of a long story. Why?”
“I’ll give you a ride home,” he nodded to the car. “Get in.”
“No, really. I’m fine.” I didn’t appreciate the way he was ordering me around.
“Seriously. Paige. I insist. That is no neighborhood for you to be alone in at night.”
“Ryder, look. I appreciate your concern. But, it’s really…”
“Get in the damn car, Paige.” It came out more like a growl than a sentence.
I did as he said. It was only a couple of miles and I’d rather save the Uber money. “Okay. Thanks.”
I slid in the front seat and noticed the evidence of a teenage girl everywhere. There were magazines and empty Starbucks cups, hair ties and empty candy bar wrappers. Ryder didn’t look like he ate too many candy bars. He was all muscle.
“So, your sister is sixteen?” I asked, making conversation.
His jaw was clenched pretty tightly, but he said, “Sixteen going on twenty-one.”
“My sister is sixteen, too. I definitely get that.” I kept stealing looks at Ryder as we drove. His profile was strong and the angles of his face were incredibly masculine. His broad hands had long fingers, and there was a jade ring on his right ring finger. He tapped the steering wheel impatiently, as if he were in a hurry to drop me off.
It took less than five minutes for us to pull up in front of my apartment complex. I started to open the door when he grabbed my arm. He leaned in really close and I could smell him. The scent went through my skin and my heart started pounding. He was silent for a moment and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But he released my arm instead.
His voice was raspy as he spoke. “What are you doing, Paige?” The words came out like an accusation.
“I’m going into my apartment.” I wasn’t sure what he meant.
