“For my mother and my stepmom,” I add.
“Oh.” Her shoulders relax, and I do too.
“Is there a special occasion?”
“Nope.” I shrug. “I just felt like sending them flowers. I tend to do it a couple times a year, just to remind them how much they mean to me.” I might have ulterior motives this time, but it’s no lie. My father buys Dawn lilies and chocolates every Friday on his way home from work. They aren’t expensive or extravagant, by any means, but the way Dawn’s face lights up you’d think they were. Even after all these years, and copious bouquets and chocolates, she still cherishes the gesture.
Stevie stares at me as if she’s seen a ghost. Shaking herself out of it, she drags her lower lip between her teeth before releasing it. “You are so bad for my heart, Garrick,” she whispers, like the words might hurt her. “Stop being so sweet.”
“I only ever want to be good for you,” I admit, hoping she hears the sincerity in my tone. “Now, what would you recommend?” I inquire, changing the trajectory of the conversation on purpose.
I leave the store twenty minutes later with a gorgeous, big, colorful bouquet. I placed a delivery order for Dawn’s flowers but refused delivery for the second bunch, making up an excuse Stevie seemed to buy. Placing the bouquet down carefully on the back seat of my SUV, I drive around town, listening to music and fastidiously watching the clock until I know Stevie’s shift ends. Then I circle back to the shop, park at the curb, and wait for the enchantress to show her beautiful face.
When she walks outside, zipping up her raincoat, her feet falter as she spots me exiting my car. “Need a ride?” I ask, already knowing she does. Light rain falls as I stride toward her. Judging by the stormy gray clouds in the sky, it won’t be long before it turns heavy. “I know your car is in for service, and I thought I could drop you home.”
Tipping her head back, she stares at the darkening sky and the tinkling rain tumbling from above. I expect her to fight me, and I’m pleasantly surprised when she doesn’t. “Thanks, Garrick. A ride home would be great.”
I open the passenger door for her, closing it softly after she climbs inside. Running around the hood, I jump behind the wheel just before the rain turns heavy and a deluge falls from the heavens.
“Perfect timing.” Stevie rubs her hands together as I crank up the heating.
“I’ve been known to have my moments.” A trademark grin crosses over my face as I power up the engine.
“I love your car. Nana has an older Range Rover, and I drive it sometimes. They’re solid.”
“They are,” I say as I maneuver out onto the road. “Dad got me this last year when I moved to UO. I protested, because these babies aren’t cheap, but he insisted. He knew I’d be driving back and forth a lot, and he wanted me to be safe.”
“Your dad sounds awesome.”
“My dad is as awesome as your mom.” Delicate floral notes stretch across the console, tickling my senses, and I can’t deny how much I love Stevie sitting in my car beside me. She looks comfortable and like she belongs there. I intend to ensure she knows it one day too.
Taking the next turn, I risk posing the question lingering on my tongue. “Are you hungry? Want to grab something to eat?”
She shakes her head just as her tummy emits a loud rumble.
The grin that skates across my mouth is so wide it threatens to rip my face apart. “I think your body has spoken,” I say, taking the next right and heading in the direction of the taco place that is popular with UO students. “How about some tacos? I don’t know about you, but I could murder a few.”
She runs her hands through her hair, glancing out the window, before she concedes. “Tacos sound good. I had a small salad at lunch, and I’m starving.”
Ten minutes later, we are huddled at a table in the back near the window. It’s not too busy today because classes are finished and most students are studying at home or the library, trying to cram last-minute knowledge into overtired brains.
“Was this your plan all along?” Stevie asks, eyeing me over the rim of her glass after we’ve placed our order.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” My lips purse as I smother a grin.
“Are you trying to tell me this wasn’t intentional?” Cocking her head to one side, she peers deep into my eyes.
I could stare at her beautiful face all day and all night and never grow tired of it.
“Not really.” I take a sip of my soda before continuing. “I’ll admit I came to the store because I wanted to see you, and I knew you didn’t have your car today, so I was hoping to drive you home, but I didn’t plan this. Would have if I thought you’d go for it.”
“Guess you got your date after all.”
Leaning across the table toward her, I ensure her eyes are locked on mine when I speak. “If this was a date, you’d know it and we sure as fuck would not be here.”
“Where would we be?” she blurts, looking like she regrets the words the instant they leave her mouth.
“At that nice steakhouse or the new sushi place. If we were in Seattle, I’d take you to the winery.”
