“Thanks. I actually packed a bag, just in case, but my car is still parked at the truck stop.”
He nodded. “That’s okay. Valene really won’t care if you borrow something. I’ll meet you downstairs in the foyer when you’re done.”
Juliana took the fastest shower she’d ever taken, pulled her hair into a half ponytail-half bun hairdo, and found a gray T-shirt with a bright green Big Bang Truck Stop logo and a pair of denim capris in Valene’s closet that fit Juliana like regular jeans. She met Diesel in the foyer in fifteen minutes flat, her personal best.
He looked relieved when she descended the stairs, but they didn’t linger. Five minutes later they were halfway to the truck stop.
Once he parked his truck in the same spot as last night, he came around and opened her door for her.
“I won’t be too long. Do you mind hanging out in the convenience store? Or do you want to meet me at the Cosmos Café?”
“I’ll wait for you in the store. I’m full of pancakes.”
He grabbed her hand and together they walked to the front of the store and inside.
Alice was at the register again. Her sour expression when she saw Juliana changed the moment Diesel stepped through the door behind her.
“Good morning, Fearless Leader,” Alice said exuberantly.
“Good morning.” He gestured to Juliana. “Anything she wants, put on my tab and I’ll settle up when I return.”
Alice’s smile dimmed only momentarily. “Of course, whatever she wants.”
Diesel squeezed Juliana’s hand once, lifting it to his lips. “I have an employee dispute to resolve, but it shouldn’t take too long. I’ll try to hurry, okay?”
“Okay.”
He gave her a lusty gaze and kissed her fingertips gently. The gesture was so touching she wanted to wrap her whole self around this man and keep him forever.
“I’ll wait right here.”
“Perfect.” Diesel kissed her hard and fast on the mouth before walking away toward his office. She watched him go as the taste of him lingered on her lips. Hoo boy, he was something else. When he was gone from her sight, an icy chill rushed through her body from deep inside outward to her limbs. Like a reverse hot flash maybe.
Juliana happened to glance over her shoulder at Alice, whose shocked expression changed once Diesel was out of view. She’d probably sent a mental ice bucket to pour on Juliana’s head.
The clerk cleared her throat and said, “Are you going to want something or not?” Her tone and attitude had gone from syrupy with Diesel to snotty with her. Juliana didn’t care.
The night they’d spent together cemented her feelings, and Diesel seemed very serious about wanting her in his future. Alice or anyone else who fancied themselves in love with Diesel could suck it. She smiled thinking about Diesel using that same reference.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll take a look around.”
She noticed a basket of fresh fruit on the counter, seeing both bananas and apples. On the spur of the moment, she walked over, picked out the largest apple and held it up to Alice. “Listen up. I know what you’re doing, but hear me when I say you’re wasting your time. And stop with the apples. It’s not going to change anything I do and it’s wasteful.”
Alice’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh? Don’t you?” Juliana put the apple back in the basket and walked away. She wandered down the main aisle toward the back of the store, not intending to go all the way to Diesel’s office, but just closer to where she knew he was, hoping it would help warm her sudden cold snap.
She missed him the moment he’d stepped away, like physically being ripped away from his immediate presence had caused this lingering cold within. What was that about?
Diesel returned as if conjured by her desire for him, and gave her a look like he was a man in love. Juliana shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“Yep. The moment you walked away it was like a frigid chill washed over me.” The icy air had certainly come from Alice the moment he was out of her sight.
He wrapped his arms around her, warming her instantly. “This dispute might take longer than I thought. Do you want to wait in my office? Or I can give you the keys to my truck.”
“I appreciate the sacrifice of offering to let me drive your truck. I understand most Arkansas boys flinch at the mere prospect.” He shrugged and tightened his grip. “But my car is still parked out there. I’ll just wait in your office, if that’s okay.”
