“You okay?” Nat asks, looking down at me. He’s so close that his minty breath sends the two, face-framing tendrils of my hair flying.
My throat closes up, so all I can do is nod.
Nat’s eyes search mine and though I can’t see the darker flecks in his green eyes, I know—from years of trying and failing to paint a proper picture of him in my secret journal—that they’re there.
One corner of his lips tilts up in a half smile. His voice is a deliciously deep baritone when he drawls, “That’s good.”
Have mercy.
His chin dimple is so sexy and it’s winking at me.
The man should be arrested for chin dimple indecency.
“Do I have the honor of getting your name now?” Nat continues. “Or should I just call you pretty lady all night?”
I don’t dare open my mouth or a bunch of horse-like giggles will escape. My heart is beating fast enough to power an entire fleet of go-carts.
The desire to tell Nathan who I am unfurls, fluttering like the roaring green flag that he is. Or was. At least back when I knew him.
Maybe he’s a total jerk now.
But I doubt it since he was willing to run after a child who stole my tools.
He’s so good with kids too.
And so sweet.
And so funny.
I need to get out of here.
Without a word, I push away from Nat and weave through the crowd, running with everything I’m worth.
This is… not the fairytale ending twelve-year old me would have wanted. I’m Cinderella running away from the Prince instead of runningtohim.
Get a grip, Riley.
Technically, Nat isn’t my prince. He’s just a childhood fantasy. And I’m no Cinderella. These steel-toed workboats on my feet willnotbe slipping off any time soon.
My eyes are on the edge of the crowd, where I’ll finally be able to break free and gain some speed.
“Before we continue,” a loud voice booms over the speakers,“I’d like to thank the hero of today’s race, the person responsible for little Susie’s remarkable win and a new addition to our beloved Lucky Falls family… Riley!”
I freeze and swing around.
Did he just say my name?
“She’s the manager of Stewart’s old garage. If The Pink Garage can’t fit you in, ya’ll be sure to take your car to Riley’s.”
My chest heaves, but it’s fine.
Nat won’t know that Riley is me. It could be anyone in the crowd.
The owner of the go-carts flings his arm in my direction. Suddenly, a spotlight that was lighting up the track flashes toward me.
Fiddlesticks.
I lift my hand to shield my eyes from the painful light.
