“Oh, definitely not,” she says quickly.“I’m not telling a soul.”
“Good.”
She turns to the window, satisfied, like it’s just that simple.
But something sits in my chest like a dull throb.
Because if it’s just fun…
Why does it already feel like more?
And why the hell do I get the feeling I’m about to break every rule we just made?
Chapter 26
Regan
Ding-Dong,Ding-Dong,Ding-Dong.
What the hell?
I blink the sleep from my eyes, swipe my hand through my hair, and shuffle to the door, half-expecting a delivery guy or maybe a neighbor with a complaint about my car blocking the sidewalk.But when I pull open the door, the last thing I expect is a man in a Mercedes-branded jacket, holding out a set of keys.“Miss Thomas?”
I stare at him, still waking up.“Yeah?”
“I have something for you,” he says with a polite nod.
“For me?”I ask.“Are you sure?”
“Yes, ma’am.I was told to deliver this.”He lifts the keys slightly, jingling them like proof.I take them as he gestures to the curb.
As I lean past him to get a better look, my jaw literally drops.
Parked beside a tow truck is a gleaming new Mercedes, compact and expensive looking, the silver body reflecting the morning light like it belongs in a commercial.Tinted windows, shiny black trim, and wheels that probably cost more than my monthly grocery bill.
“Wait.That’s mine?”
“Yes, ma’am.I was also told to take your old car off your hands if you want me to.Entirely up to you.”
I squint at him.“Okay, hold on.Who exactly told you to do all this?”
“Oh… sorry, should’ve mentioned it.Brant Harrison.”
I close my eyes and exhale through my nose.You’ve got to be kidding me.I knew he had money; his designer suits and car gave me an indication, but this?It’s not normal.Who just buys someone a car they just agreed to have a casual fling with?
And I’m a little frustrated he didn’t consult me.He just decided.Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful.My car was going to cost more to fix than buy a new one, so I probably would’ve said yes if he’d asked, but the point is, he didn’t.
I know that between his office, the car, and the things we said, we got swept up in the moment, and I now have to lie to everyone, including my dad, about usanda car.But what choice do I have?My dad will lose his mind.
Still standing barefoot in the doorway in my oversized hoodie, I cross my arms, trying to piece this all together.
The guy shifts a little at my silence.“I’m just the delivery guy.Want me to show you the features?”
I glance back at the car, then down at my blue pajama pants that have hearts all over them.My first thought is to say no and call Harrison and tell him this is too much and complicates things.But then I think about relying on rideshares and my dad to get to the hospital.I think about the fact I need a car.So I can’t turn it down, not when it’s already here.“Yeah, sure.Why not?”
We walk over to the Mercedes, and I try not to let him see me react to how beautiful it is and how I immediately love it because that would feel like admitting that I’m in deeper than I planned.When I slide into the driver's seat, the leather is soft and has that new-car smell.The wheel fits in my hands like it was made for me.
He goes over everything—the start button, the reverse camera, the stupidly excessive sound system, even the heated seats.All the bells and whistles.By the time he’s done, I’m sitting there, stunned, my brain spinning with disbelief and a thousand questions.
