“No worries,” I chuckle. “We all have pasts.”
“Speaking of which, you haven’t told me anything about your past relationships.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“I don’t believe that. Let’s hear it.”
I moisten my lips. “Well, I was dating someone a while back, but it didn’t work out.”
“Oh, no,” he laughs. “You can’t leave me hanging.”
I shift in my seat. “I dumped him on Valentine’s Day.”
“Ouch.”
“We were supposed to go to dinner, but he said he was sick and canceled. I took him some soup and found him on the couch with a woman he worked with.”
“Wow, I’m sorry.”
“I’m just glad I realized what he was before I wasted any more time on him.” I’m not about to tell him that the experience, coupled with my going home and seeing an article about him, is what prompted me to make him a regular topic for my column.
“His loss is my gain.”
He’s certainly charming. “Thanks,” I smile. “You never told me how you and Zoe got together.”
“I didn’t?”
“Nope.”
“A mutual friend introduced us. We started going out … and here we are—were,” he corrects.
“I take it that Cassie’s not a fan of Zoe?”
A low chuckle sounds in his throat. “Whatever gave you that idea?” He throws me a quick glance before refocusing on the road. “Cassie has a strong opinion about most everything.”
I clench my hands. “She might not like me either.” I have no idea how to deal with Cassie. She’ll recognize me right offbecause she follows me on social media and has seen my recent pictures. I know because she commented on one a few months ago.
“How could she not like you?”
His voice is coated with such warmth and admiration that I can’t help but smile. “Thanks.”
“You know,” he says thoughtfully, “I don’t even know your last name.”
“Miller,” I blurt, hating myself for all of the deception. If I were a braver, better person, I’d come clean right now. But I can’t make myself do it. My phone rings. I reach down to the floorboard and retrieve it from my purse. It’s Harmony. No way can I answer it now. I click the button to silence it.
“You don’t want to answer that?”
“Nah, it’s a friend. I’ll call her back later.” Shoving my phone back into my purse, I shift in the seat, trying to get comfortable.
“You can get some sleep if you want.”
“That’s okay,” I say offhandedly. “I don’t mind staying awake to keep you company. I can drive for a while if you want.”
“I’ve got it.”
A grin curves my lips. “I had a feeling you’d say that.” I offered to drive when we first left Nashville, but Axel wouldn’t have it. He likes to be behind the wheel and the one in control. That’s fine with me. I’d much rather let him navigate the treacherous roads.
As for sleep, it was kind of him to suggest it, but there’s no way I could do that right now. I’m too keyed up over what tomorrow will bring.
