“This must be the first time we’ve agreed.” He grinned. “How should we celebrate?”
“By not telling your mother you’re a Cheater McCheater Pants when it comes to her sending you on dates?”
He barked a laugh.
“Besides, that can’t possibly be right. We’ve agreed on things before.”
They had. She was certain. Nearly. Mostly.
She trailed her fingertip along a vein of marble in the countertop. Maybe they hadn’t?
“I guess it really is a celebration then.” She lifted her mug. He tapped his water bottle to the edge, the barest of slivers of his finger touching hers.
She stilled.
The low purr that came from him radiated through her nervous system. This didn’t feel like two people talking. And it didn’t feel innocent.
It felt like…foreplay.
Which meant—
“Really, I have to jet. I’ve got dinner for my neighbor in the car.” Everyone knew fast-food hamburgers had a shelf life of decades, but they only tasted good for a small period after preparation.
“Stop by again sometime,” Gavin said with a wave.
Not likely.
“Thanks. Will do,” she said, instead of what she was actually thinking.
She grabbed her purse. Hustled to the spacious backyard where Evelyn laughed with the boys. Grabbed her kid. And scooted right the hell out of Gavin’s house and straight to her car.
The car smelled of fast-food, French fries, and escape.
She did her best to calm her mind and slow her heart rate after the race from the house. The attempt failed, but she tried.
Key in the ignition, she turned it. Nothing happened.
She eyed the temperature gauge. It hadn’t moved. Of course it hadn’t. She didn’t have the car on.
“No.” She hit the steering wheel, hoping the trick might work a second time. Turned the key again. Nothing.
“Mom?” Ollie asked. “Should I go get Mr. Gavin?”
“No.” Molly tried again.
Nothing.
Ugh.
Of all the things she needed? This was not one of them.
She dropped her forehead to the steering wheel. Counted to ten.
One more try. She turned the key.
Nada. Nope. Nothing.
A quick look in the rearview mirror and her gaze met her son’s. She heaved a sigh. Resigned. “I guess let’s see what Mr. Gavin knows about cars.”
