And that, my friends, is how I found myself rolling down the highway with Kassie sitting in the passenger seat of my car, doing her best job of ignoring me.
I let her have her peace for the first fifteen minutes as I navigated us out of town, and onto the highway.
Now, as I settle into my seat, and I set the car into cruise, I decide it’s time to speak.
I can spend the next two hours not talking, but I’d rather not, seeing as how I have company.
“Hey,” I say quietly, just in case she has actually fallen asleep. “Kassie.”
“Hmmmm.” It’s a quiet hum, and honestly I think she might been close to falling asleep.
“Are you asleep?”
“No.”
“Are you going to ignore me for the next two hours?”
“I didn't realise that accepting this ride meant I had to entertain you as well.”
“You don’t have to entertain me, but it’s a long drive to not speak at all, don’t you think?” I don’t give her the chance to respond. “I mean, it’s going to be just the two of us at the cabin for a few days as well. Wouldn’t it be nice to do more than grunt at one another?”
“Fine,” she says sitting up. “What would you like to talk about, Bennett? What's on your mind?”
“Nothing, Kassie,” I say, not wanting to admit what's on my mind. “Here.”
I shove the travel mug of hot chocolate towards her, and pick up the coffee I got for myself.
“You got me a hot chocolate?” she asks, surprised.
“There are some snacks in the centre console too, if you get hungry.”
“I packed some snacks of my own.” I let out a low laugh.
“Of course you did, but I thought we could share. I get a little fidgety myself when I drive for more than an hour. Especially if I'm by myself.”
“But, you're not by yourself today.”
“No, I'm not,” I admit. “So, I thought it would be rude to not bring you things to drink, and snack on too.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
I smile, but I don’t look her way.
I am well aware that there's someone else sitting in my car, andwhothat someone else happens to be.
I don’t know how I'm going to survive this drive, much less a few days alone in the cabin with her.
I promised myself years ago that nothing would or could, ever happen between us. Not because I'm not attracted to her,or that she doesn’t like me. I know that if I stopped pushing her buttons like Max and I used to when we were kids, she would see me as the man I've become.
I need to stay away from Kassie Timms, because of what her brother means to us both.
Therefore, she needs to keep hating me.
CHAPTER 3
Kassie
