Again with the confused look. “And that’s why you want it?”
With a snort, I tell him, “Of course that’s why.”
“I’m not tracking here, Finley.” Thomas shoves his hands in his coat pockets and steps toward me.
“Harlow Gibson played a character who wanted to get even with the girls who bullied her in high school. She drove back to her hometown in that kind of car.”See?It all makes sense now …
“Did they all want a car like that?” He’s clearly not on my wavelength.
“No.” I explain, “She won the title of Miss Nevada and went home wearing her tiara. That’s how she got her revenge.”
“What did the car have to do with it?”
“She was riding inthatcar, Thomas! How aren’t you getting this?” I know I’m not explaining it well, and maybe this isn’t even something that makes sense to a neurotypical. I mean, how wouldIknow? I’m not one.
Thomas inhales deeply before asking, “How about if I sell you the car when I leave town?”
“What do you mean when you leave town? Are you leaving because of Constance?”
“She’s putting me on the nightshift as a payback for my not being interested in her romantically. I can’t work with a person like her.”
“So, you’re giving up on Elk Lake, just like that?”
He tips his head from side to side like he’s going back and forth on his own pros and cons list. Which I respect. The pros and cons list really is the only way to make big life decisions.
“I need to gather evidence against Constance to break my contract,” he says. “But if I can’t do that, then I’ll probably go back to New York when my current agreement ends.”
While I really want to buy his car, I suddenly realize I want Thomas more. That must be why I blurt out, “You can’t leave Elk Lake. I won’t let you!”
He looks amused. “I’m not sure you can stop me.”
I narrow my eyes and stare at him like I’m performing a Vulcan mind meld. I don’t say the words out loud, but I still send the message,Oh, yeah? Let’s just see, shall we?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THOMAS
I feel bad telling Finley that I’m thinking about going back to New York. But except for spending time with her, I’m not really vibing here. Elk Lake feels more like a place you come and spend a couple of weeks during the summer. Not a place to live full-time.
I stare at her as she clicks away on her laptop. “So, how about that ride?” I ask.
“You still want to take me driving even though you’re planning on leaving Elk Lake?”
I’m not quite sure what one thing has to do with the other. “Yes,” I tell her. “It’ll give you a chance to drive in your soon-to-be car.”
That seems to be the right thing to say. “I still want to go on a drive,” she says while standing up. She moves the basket of pink props at her feet. Then she turns in my direction and walks by me without saying another word.
Once we’re outside, Finley locks the front door, and we proceed to the Mustang. I stop and open the passenger side doorfor her and wait until she gets in. Then I hurry around and join her.
As soon as I’m buckled, I turn to look at Finley. She’s caressing the tan leather interior like it’s a kitten—a kitten I suddenly wish was me. “What do you think?” I ask her unnecessarily. It’s obvious she loves it.
“It’s perfect,” she tells me reverently. Opening the glove compartment, she looks inside and says, “I’ll keep my sunglasses and snacks in there.”
“What kind of snacks?” Maybe I’ll go ahead and stock it for her.
“I like granola bars, and those little boxes of raisins. Maybe some cookies, too.”
“Do you snack a lot when you’re in a car?” I ask her teasingly.
