Zoey: Sure thing. I’m working at the bar later.
Brax: I’ll give you a ride home after work.
I love my family. Sure, they are a pain in the ass sometimes, but they are the best. Doesn’t matter what kind of shit I get myself into, someone is always there to pull me out.
Me: Thanks, cousin.
Tate: Let us know when the tow is there.
Me: Will do.
I close the group chat and open my favorite app, reading through the comments on my latest post about my last job. Each video reaches a bigger audience, and although I still have a small following, it’s no less exciting to see it grow.
I lose track of time on the side of the highway, trying to ignore the cars whizzing by me at such a fast speed that they could demolish my car with a mere swipe of the side.
Don’t think about it, Lulu. You’ll be fine. You’re not going to die today.
I glance up as the rumble of a diesel engine hits my ear. The tow truck pulls in front of me and slowly backs up, stopping a few feet away.
Put a smile on your face.
Men like smiles, for some weird reason. I’ve been told I have a solid resting bitch face, and I need to remind myself to smile when I’m hoping someone else doesn’t treat me like a douchebag. Not just any someone, but men. Women never care if I’m smiling or wearing a scowl, but any other facial expression seems to set most men on edge. Fragile egos.
I climb out of the car as the tow door opens, and a man steps out who looks big enough to block out the sun. “Ma’am,” he says in the deepest, gravelly voice.
I crane my neck upward, following his torso until I can get a good look at his face. “Sir,” I reply, always hating being called ma’am. I’m not old enough for that shit, but I’m more than willing tothrow it back at them, hoping it rubs them the wrong way too.
The sunshine is almost blinding with the snow everywhere, and I have to shade my eyes with my hands to be able to focus on his face.
Damn. He’s a stunner. He looks like he hiked down the mountain this morning after chopping a pile of wood and starting a fire by rubbing two sticks together. He’s too manly to use a lighter or even flint. My mouth instantly waters at the fullness of his lips that are visible even though his beard is thick.
“Where’s the issue?”
I point toward the front passenger side, unable to move from behind my door. My eyes follow his movement, soaking in his hotness.
I hate winter. It hides everything. I can’t tell what his body looks like underneath his heavy coat, and I sure as hell can’t see his ass because the coat’s too long.
“That’s going to need a tow.”
I don’t mutter duh, but it’s on my lips. It’s why I called him. “Oh no,” I say, putting on the stupid-woman act, hoping it’ll get this entire ordeal over sooner rather than later.
“Why don’t you give me the keys and hop up in the truck to stay warm.”
“Keys are in the car,” I tell him. “Lemme grab my purse.” I bend over, reaching across the front seat tosnag my purse and phone. I glance through the windshield, and we lock eyes.
The air rushes from my lungs as I soak in his sky-blue eyes. Is there anything about this man that isn’t good? Maybe he has nasty teeth, and it’ll instantly ruin any fantasy I’m building with him in my mind.
“Act normal,” I tell myself as I pull my upper body out of my car. “Don’t embarrass yourself, Lulu.”
I keep my eyes forward, not looking over at him as I start to head toward the passenger side of the tow truck. I’m doing my best to walk and not fall in the snow when I hear the man yell, “Watch out!”
Suddenly, I’m tumbling into the snow with a heavy weight on top of me, and the loudest crash I’ve ever heard in my life is ringing in my ears.
When I come to a stop, I’m on my back and looking up into the eyes of the hot, burly guy. “Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
“What happened?”
Our mouths are a few inches away, so close I can feel his warm, minty breath against my face. “A car hit yours.”
