I remember. I need to keep it covered for possible rain anyway.
Summer
Perfect! See you on Monday.
A knocking sound on the hood of my car makes me jump. I look up with a grin, expecting to see my copper-headed best friend. Instead, I’m met with a cold, disapproving glare. The smile melts off my face at the same time my heartbeat speeds up.
What?I mouth at him.
Dayton moves around to the driver’s side of my car. I roll my window down.
“You’re so thoughtful to come pick me up,” he drawls.
“I’m not here for you.”
He reaches through the open window and grabs the door handle, pulling it to make the locks lift up.
“Hey! I’m serious. I’m here to pick up Sav and Axel.”
He pulls the door open.
“What is your problem? Are you gonna take my car and leave me stranded here?” I try to pull the door closed, but I’m no match for his strength.
He chuckles before reaching for the back door, opening it and tossing his bag into the back. “I’m driving. Scoot over.”
I sigh, realizing I have no chance of getting rid of him. Secretly, I’m relieved. Axel never wants to drive, and I hate battling the Marg Fest traffic from here all the way to the house. I climb into the passenger seat. The car moves when he plants his big body into the driver’s seat and closes the door.
The Land Rover immediately fills with his musky cologne. The buzz of the seat adjuster lasts for a comically long time as he extends his legroom. Savannah’s words about him beinghung up on me since we were teens trickles through my mind. I fold my hands into my lap.
He’s not. Of course he’s not.
“You’re very demanding.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“You don’t need to keep showing up here to check on things. Javier is keeping you up to date, isn’t he?”
He taps his thumb on the steering wheel. “Hmm, for now. I’m sure you’ll sweet-talk him into something if I disappear for too long.”
“Don’t you have a business to run? Some billionaire in New York probably needs your help with tax evasion.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I can manage most things from my phone, and right now, this project is my most lucrative investment with the highest risk factor.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, theinvestmentis moving along just fine. I read a news article about the Florida real estate market being on a steady incline.”
“The market isn’t the biggest risk factor.”
Big raindrops start pelting the windshield.
I turn to face him. “What is it then? Me? Am I the biggestriskfactor?”
His amber eyes flicker over me. I’m wearing a formfitting knit maxi dress. The orange-and-white floral pattern makes me look tan, and it ties around my neck like a swimsuit. I have my usual gold rings on my fingers and hoop earrings in my ears. My hair has two little braids in front while the rest of it spills over my back and shoulders in beachy waves.
“Yes, Cupcake, you’re the biggest risk factor.” He says it with such an intense stare.
I nearly jump out of my skin when someone starts knocking on the window a few seconds later. I clasp my hand against my chest with a gasp.
“Hey, you! Open up!” Savannah’s voice is muffled through the car door.
