Two neighbors drove off while I waited. I could have asked either one of them for a jump, but when it came to inconveniencing people, it was better to stick with those who didn’t feel obligated to be polite. I hated asking strangers for favors. Which reminded me I should probably meet my neighbors beyond the occasional head nod.
Speaking of people who didn’t feel obligated to be polite, Lauren finally pulled up in her Chevy and lowered the driver window. “Get in, loser.”
I rounded the hood and jumped in the passenger seat. “Morning, Harwood.”
“Morning, Clayton.”
Only my grandparents, and Lauren when she wanted to annoy me, used my full name. She turned her peppy music back up and purposely ignored my reaction to hearing it. Which was a shame. My look of disdain was legendary.
“Is thisShadow Behind the Sun?”
“Yes, it is. Thanks for asking. Are you hot?”
“Some girls say I am. Thanks for asking.”
She gripped the steering wheel tighter. I’d totally foiled her plans to rub it in that she was sweating me out by withholding air conditioning. It was a little stuffy, but I wouldn’t be saying a word no matter how warm it got in here.
She looked me over, probably hoping for another way she could make my life miserable during the short trip to the office.
“Put your seat belt on, Clay.”
“Make me.”
That was a mistake. As soon as we pulled up to the stop sign on the corner, she threw the truck in park, reached across the bench seat, and pulled my seatbelt across my chest, giving me a nice whiff of her shampoo. The only way I could describe it was sexy bubble bath scent. I didn’t resist her seat belt enforcement, afraid a tussle might turn into what I was imagining in my head.
She caught my expression as she pulled away, before I hid my reaction to her invading my space. The look she gave me in return was… contemplative. Not good.
“It’s your turn to go,” I pointed out. The car behind us agreed by laying on the horn.
Lauren put the truck in drive and stepped on the gas. She and that gas pedal were good friends. I had a feeling she’d charmed her way out of several speeding tickets over the years.
She tossed her blonde hair over one shoulder. “At least by giving you a ride, we’re even now for the Prince Charming thing.”
“Not a chance. I gave you a ride a few months ago, so we’re even as far as rides go. The Prince Charming favor will be coming, as soon as I figure out what I need from you.”
“The adoration and thanks of my little niece wasn’t enough?”
“Nope.” Though I hadn’t even remembered the favor Lauren owed me until she mentioned it. It felt like she was egging me on, and that made me a little wary about calling in a favor. Maybe that was her plan. Reverse psychology. There was no way I’d let her get away with that. A favor was a favor, and she’d pay up soon.
“Why do you need John in a good mood?” I asked, changing the subject.
“What?” She turned, looking flustered.
“You said you needed him in a good mood. Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. He wasn’t happy that Parker and I got into it over the scissor lift yesterday.”
There was more to it than that, but I’d get better information out of Parker.
We pulled up to a stop light and Lauren looked me over again.
“Planning your next attack?” I asked.
“You have something yellow in your hair.”
It was probably Palo Verde tree fluff. Before I could lower the mirror and check for it myself, she put the truck in park and reached over, plucking a piece out and lingering close to my face as she brushed her fingers through the rest of my hair, searching for more. Yeah, she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
I swallowed hard. “Your boyfriend doesn’t mind it when you fix another guy’s hair?”
