I exhaled slowly.
Breathe.
I checked my phone and groaned. It was already six-thirty. I had to meet him outside at seven o’clock. I had to somehow be professional, normal, and functional within thirty minutes.
I crawled out of bed, reluctantly showered, and got ready for the day. Then I packed a bag for two nights at a hotel, stuffing everything in rather untidily and topping it off with my toiletries—oh, and a few books.
Couldn’t leave without the books.
When I was done, I started toward the stairs and stopped just as I reached them. Nervous butterflies suddenly swarmed my stomach, and I scolded myself.
It’s just a CE conference. And it’s just Jay.
I took one last steadying breath and finally headed down the steps.
Just treat him like normal. It’s just Jay.
I stepped outside and Jay was already there, hefting his black suitcase into the cab of his truck. He wore jeans and a business casual button-down, his hair still slightly damp like he’d just showered. He glanced up when he heard the rattling of my suitcase wheels across the pavement.
“Morning,” he said.
“Morning,” I replied, adjusting my grip on the handle.
Jay reached for my bag before I could stop him. “I’ve got it.”
“Oh, thanks.”
As he lifted it into the back, I glanced toward the house, suddenly struck by a thought I hadn’t finished processing. “Is Luna going to be okay?”
Jay smiled, the first half-smirk of the morning. “Margaret from my knitting club already picked her up.”
I laughed softly. “Convenient to have a group of cute old ladies that adore you, huh?”
“Sometimes,” Jay admitted with a wink, and I snorted.
He closed the trunk and gestured toward the passenger side. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Ready.”
We climbed into the truck, doors shutting almost in unison.
Jay started the engine. His phone connected to the Bluetooth, and his Spanish playlist began playing quietly over the speakers.
“So what are the rules?” I asked just as he pulled out of the driveway and started down the road.
“Rules?” he asked, voice tinged with confusion.
I figured talking was better than letting awkward silence take over.
“Yeah, you know. Road trip rules. How long do you get to play your music, and how long do I get to play mine? Do we stop for snacks? Is beef jerky allowed in the car?”
Jay chuckled and shook his head.
“Beef jerky is most definitely banned.”
“Got it.”
“Snacks are okay as long as they’re easily vacuumable.”
