“You’ll have to show me your recording studio at your house when we get back.”
“Sure. If you want.” My cheeks flush at her interest.
I fiddle with a strand of her hair, hoping this becomes our new normal. My heart skips at the thought, and I wonder how our lives will mesh together once we get back home. Reese hanging out at my place after work. Eating lunch together at Lula Belle’s. Visiting her at the shop and kissing her before I head to work.
Life in Rocosa is about to get more interesting.
“Do you have a date for the wedding?” I ask, suddenly desperate to see her sparkling in that pink gown again.
Batting her eyelashes, she smirks at me. “Why? Do you know someone who’d want to take me?”
I squeeze her shoulder. “Yeah.Me.”
The air rushes out of her, her eyes locking on mine with an expression I’m beginning to recognize—desire.
She throws a hand out, holding me at bay as if she can read my thoughts. “I need a moment.Whew.Even just being close to you is intense.”
When she starts fanning herself, I bite my lip to keep from smiling. To know she’s on fire for me as much as I am for her only makes me want her more. I blow on her neck, hoping to help cool her down, and she springs out of the chair.
“Not helping.”
“Sorry. What can I do to help? Do you need to eat something?”
Her eyes flash for a second, but then she shakes her head. “You’re probably right. I’ll grab what’s left of dinner.”
With two plates in hand, she returns to her seat and passes one to me. Her brows pinch as she pokes at the squishy bread. “I’m sorry they’re so cold. Maybe I should have waited until after we ate to start a fight.”
“I’d rather eat a cold grilled cheese with you than a hot one by myself.” To prove my point, I chomp off an oversized piece.
The corners of her eyes crinkle as she laughs at my stuffed cheeks. Not to be outdone, she takes a big bite of her own.
She’s perfection.Something flutters in my chest the longer I watch her, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, unable to resist the need to keep her close.
We spend the rest of the evening reminiscing about old stories and stargazing. And I realize, as she snuggles closer to me to rest her head on my shoulder, that there’s no place on earth I’d rather be than right here with her.
The next morning, a gangly teenager bangs on the door at seven sharp, dragging Reese and me out of bed in confusion.
“Good morning,” he says, drawing out his words in an I-don’t-care attitude. “I’m Travis Jr. from Milton and Son’s Auto Repair. I tried to give you a heads up I was coming, but it went to your voicemail.” Wearing a stained t-shirt and ripped jeans, he looks like he’s skipping school rather than showing up on a work call.
“Oh, heeey,” Reese says, slowly connecting the dots. “Sorry, I’m not quite awake yet. I appreciate you coming so quickly.”
“Pops told me to come first thing in the morning. I didn’t have much to do today anyway.” He shrugs and heads down the stairs. “Let me go get my clipboard.”
We change out of our pajamas and run outside. The kid strolls past Reese to stand in front of me. “What seems to be the problem?”
I can hear her teeth grinding from six feet away.
“There’s a transmission leak, I think.”
“What makes you think that?” Travis asks, jotting it on his notepad.
“Uh...” My eyes land on Reese. “She would know more. This is her area of expertise.”
Travis pivots back to her, eyebrows high. “All right, miss. Why do you think there’s a leak?”
“The ATF was full one day and bone dry the next day. I’ve also found the spot where it’s dripping. It’s inside the bell housing, but I’m going to need some help taking it off.”
The kid taps his pencil on his chin. “All right, let’s go take a look.”
