“I’m good, Ed. How are you?”
“Oh, you know, trying to keep busy. It can be pretty quiet here.” He scans the lobby before leaning closer, one hand covering the side of his face like he’s worried someone will read his lips. He gives me a conspiratorial look and whispers, “I’m reading a fairy romance book that my daughter keeps going onabout. Got all the boys into it. We have a book club planned for the end of the month.”
With wide eyes, I try to suppress a giggle. “Fairy romance, huh? Sounds good to me.”
“You’re welcome to join our book club.” Ed winks.
Honestly? Joining a book club with a bunch of middle-aged security guards where they talk about romantasy sounds like a good time. “Email me the details. Maybe I could get Griffin to join with me.”
That makes Ed’s eyes light up. “Do you think he would?”
“He has a whole shelf full of romance books,” I say with my own conspiratorial tone. “I’d say there’s a pretty solid chance he’ll go for it.”
Ed’s eyes twinkle with excitement. “Thanks, Miss Mira. Here, I have your car keys for you.” He reaches under his desk and grabs my keys, making a clacking sound as he hands them over.
“Please, just Mira. None of thismissstuff, okay?” Grinning, I take the keys from Ed as he hems and haws about calling me only by my name. After we say our goodbyes, I head toward the parking garage and twirl my keys in my hand.
Except, they’re not my keys.
I was so distracted by my conversation with Ed that I didn’t notice. I frown when I see two brand-spanking-new fobs with flip keys on the ring instead of my beat-up and cracked single key.
Great.They left the wrong keys. So much for taking him grocery shopping before Griffin gets home.
Grumbling under my breath, I stalk out to my parking spot to check on Artax, even though I won’t be able to start him and stop dead in my tracks. “What. The actual. Fuck?”
Artax isn’t in my spot. My familiar, formerly trusty rust bucket is nowhere to be seen. In its place is a gleaming yellow Camry with a sunroof and black rims. The damn thing is Roguesyellow. And maybe I could tell myself that was a coincidence if there wasn’t a massive red bow on the roof and a small white vinyl decal with the number 16 on the driver’s side window.
Griffin’s number. The one on his jersey, which he keeps trying to get me to wear. My whole body goes hot and my chest tightens as I circle the car. It’s a strange mix of panic, excitement, and burgeoning rage. Then I see the license plate. It readssunshne.
The crazy bastard didn’t fix my car. He bought me a brand-new one. One that he clearly had customized. One I could never afford.
I start to shake, and steam may very well be pouring from my ears because this is too much. It’s completely out of line. How could he do something like this without even asking me? All the money I’ve worked so hard to save—gone. And then some.
Fire scorches my veins as I pull my phone out of my pocket and tap on Griffin’s contact. The thing goes straight to voicemail, but I try again anyway and let out a little screech. They’re probably in the air or getting ready to land, because today’s the day they get home from their away series. Figures I can’t even call and shout at him the way I want to. But that’s fine. I can be patient.
Leaning against the door of the pretty yellow car Griffin will most definitely be returning, I settle in and wait.
My accidental husband will get home soon. And when he does, I’m going to murder him.
GRIFFIN
I have two missed calls from Mira by the time we land at theairstrip and I can finally turn my phone back on. No messages, though. She’s probably so excited about her new car that she can’t even form complete sentences.
Sebastian notices my goofy grin and playfully elbows me. “What are you so happy about? Does it involve a certain dark-haired roommate?”
“Shh,” I hiss, looking around to make sure no one heard the idiot. When I’m certain no one is paying attention to us, I grin. “But maybe. My mechanic told me her car was a death trap. So I bought her a new one and had it delivered today.”
Bash goes utterly silent and still. He stands there, staring at me, not even blinking. Which is kinda freaky, if I’m being honest. When he finally does blink, the motion is slow and exaggerated. “I’m sorry. I could have sworn you just said that you bought Mira a car.”
His body shakes when I clap him hard on the shoulder. “Dude, you need to get your ears checked out or something?” I guess I could drive him to the doctor if he needs me to, but I really want to get home to my wife. I can’t wait to see her reaction to the car.
“Did she agree to letting you buy her a car?” Bash asks very slowly, speaking to me the way a parent addresses a toddler who’s just learning to speak.
I roll my eyes. “Nah, man. It was a surprise.”
More slow blinks. “A surprise.” Sebastian’s eyebrows rise all the way up his forehead until they’re fist-bumping his hairline. “You bought your roommate a brand-new car without her knowledge because you wanted to surprise her?”
Am I missing something? Why is Bash looking at me like I’ve lost my mind? All I wanted to do was take care of my wife. Not that he knows she’s my wife, but still. “Yeah, man. She needed a new car but couldn’t afford it, and she wouldn’t let Madds buyher one. So I took care of it.” Bash doesn’t need to know that I wouldn’t let Madds buy her one, anyway. That’s my job now.
