I waved her off. "Go on. Give Savannah kisses for me and tell her how much I love her."
"Will do." Elle opened her car door but didn't climb in yet. "I'll see you in the morning."
"See you tomorrow." I gave a little wave before unlocking my car door and sliding into the driver's seat.
Dropping my purse and large teaching bag into the passenger’s seat, followed by my keys and phone into the cup holder, I pressed the button to start my car, but nothing happened.
Absolutely nothing. Not even a sputter. I dropped my head to the steering wheel with a groan and tried again.
Still nothing.
It wasn't like the car was old. I got it brand new two years ago. There was no reason it should be dead on me. I didn't think I left anything on when I went into work that would've killed the battery. Then again, I had been thinking about Parker, so who knew if I was in the right state of mind.
I picked up my phone, prepared to call roadside assistance when my screen flashed with an incoming call.
Parker.
"You have no idea how happy I am that you called," I said as soon as I accepted the call.
"Well, I'm glad I can make you happy, but something tells me it's not just because you missed me. Is everything okay?"
"Not really. I tried starting my car, but it seems to be dead."
"Dead? Don't you have a newer model car?"
I'm glad it wasn't just me who thought this was strange. "I do. I was just going to call roadside assistance when you called instead."
"How about I look at it first? I'm only ten minutes from you anyway."
I scrunched up my face. Clearly confused by his statement. "Isn't both your job and house on the other side of the city?" It was a pointless question since I already knew the answer.
"Yes, but I was on my way to surprise you when you got home. And you happen to live close to where you work."
My heart did that little pitter-patter thing at the thought of him surprising me. "Wait, really? I figured you were too busy with work, and that's why I didn't hear from you this afternoon."
Parker sighed. "I was busy, but that doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with you. I like the thought of seeing you each day."
Oh I was a goner. For someone who didn't do relationships, he sure knew the right things to say.
I was too busy swooning over Parker that I didn't see anyone approaching my vehicle until they tapped on my window. My head whipped to the side as my heart raced a million miles a second. The air in my lungs whooshed out when I saw who was standing on the other side of the glass.
Ben.
The gym teacher and the man Elle was confident had a crush on me.
"I've got to go. One of the teachers is stopping to check on me. I'll see you when you get here."
"Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes."
I hung up the phone and cracked the door open since the car was dead and rolling down the window wasn't an option. "Hey."
Ben opened the door wider and rested his forearm against the roof as he leaned down to talk to me. "Hi. Everything okay? You're usually gone by the time I leave."
I don't know why the way he said that put me on edge. I must've been letting Elle's words about him liking me affect the way I was thinking.
"I think my car's dead."
"Dead? Do you have a tow truck coming for it? I can give you a ride home if you'd like."
