“Watch your filthy mouth!” I tease back. “Are you sure? I was prepared for at least six hundred dollars.” I look back and forth between all of them.
They all wave me off and tell me there’s nothing to pay for, which I know is not true, but I’m grateful. I thank them again and promise to come back to visit.
Daniel opens my door to lean inside and start it. “You go ahead of me, and I’ll follow you the same way we did before in case you have any problems.”
He’s getting bossy again. I wish I hated it.
“Yes, sir. Hey …” I look up at him. “Did you buy the parts? Because I have the money. I can handle it.”
“I know you can handle it, but you don’t always have to do it alone. We had a problem, and we solved it, right? That’s all that matters.” His words make me swallow hard.
We?
Looking directly into his eyes is risky, because eww, feelings, but Annie said it, and I can’t get past it now. “Why do you always take care of me?”
Most people are understandably attached to a few hundred dollars and a whole afternoon of their time.
“I was able to help with this, so I did. If you had a connection to save me some money, you’d do the same thing.” He shrugs like it’s nothing and starts to walk back to his car, but I reach out and pull him back to me. I hug him quickly, because it’s scorching hot out here, and whisper a thank-you into his ear.
“You’re the best. You know that?”
“I try.” He grins sheepishly.
“Do you? Because I think it’s just who you are.”
He pulls me forward by my ears and dramatically kisses the top of my head like he always does, then heads to his car without any more icky eye contact.
“I’m stopping at the store,” I call out as he walks. “You can follow me that far and then I should be fine.”
“All right. See you tonight, Punk.”
Oh, my goodness. I have to do this again.
I don’t think I have the strength.
Chapter 10
Jealous Again
Istop for groceries at the Fresh Mart close to home. Peach pie was, umm …mentioned, but I’d need more time for that. It doesn’t take long to find everything I need and make it home without further incident. Hopefully, we can turn the page on this chapter of my crappy car saga, but I still don’t trust it.
As soon as I’m home, I chop strawberries, fold in the glaze by hand, and put the plastic lids back on the filled pie shell containers, leaving them to chill in the fridge with a few cans of whipped cream. I’ll keep one here for Daniel and take the rest to The Drip.
Neither of us slept much after our late-night drive and the storm. But there’s no time for a nap or to review all the emotional fishtailing right now, so I take a few minutes to freshen up my hair and makeup. I pull up a Southern rock playlist to hype myself up for some fun and let The Black Crowes set the mood. No more feelings today, thank you very much.
The humidity worked in favor of my wavy hair, but there’s no escaping sweaty summer pits, so I change into the black PoisonT-shirt I cut into a tank top, with an off-white lacy skirt over some bike shorts.
A long hippie fringed vest and combat boots complete the look, and I laugh at my reflection.
My dad would hate this outfit.
Ironically, so would Nathan.
The parking situation at the coffeehouse is maddening, so I check the weather to decide if I want to walk the two blocks. I could ride with Daniel and Jace, but we might need a break, even if it’s just an hour. I load the pies and whipped cream into a reusable grocery tote with some paper plates and pull out my phone to see where Annie is.
Me:Annie are ya ok? Are ya ok Annie?
DC’s loading a couple of guitars and small amps into Jace’s truck right outside our front window, but I really should go with Annie or walk.
