"Officer, as I told you before," Audi guy says, "I didn't intentionally toss the paper from my car. It blew out the window."
"And you didn't go back and pick it up." The officer takes the guy's license. "That counts as littering." He looks at me. "License?"
I hand it to him. "Officer, I didn't throw that bottle out. I don't even know how it got there. The paper from HIS car," I say, pointing at Audi guy, "flew at my windshield, blocking my view of the road."
"It was an accident," the guy says, giving me a slight smile.
Why is he smiling? Does he think this is funny?
"Is this all a joke to you?" I say, glaring at the guy.
"Not at all," he says, cool and collected, not the least bit worried there's a police officer standing between us, writing who knows what on that little pad of his. "I'm Aiden, by the way." He extends his hand to me.
Ignoring his gesture, I fold my arms over my chest. "Your so-called accident is getting me arrested."
"Not arrested," the officer says. "Just a citation." He hands the guy and me our tickets, along with our licenses.
"What does this mean?" I look over the ticket. "I have to pay a fine?"
"The judge will decide that. You'll need to appear in court."
"Are you serious?" I turn to the cop. "You don't understand. I live in New York. I don't have a car, and I work like 90 hours a week. I can't get back here. There's no way."
"Sorry, ma'am, but you'll just have to figure it out."
"I can give you a ride," Audi guy says. "I also live in New York. I assume you mean Manhattan?"
I glance at the guy, furious at him and this whole situation. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend and now this happens.
"Here." The guy holds out his business card. "Give me a call when you get the court date."
"I'm not riding with you," I say, not taking his card. "I'll rent a car like I did today."
"Suit yourself." He holds up the card. "You sure you don't want it? In case you change your mind?"
"Trust me. I won't," I say, noticing his annoyingly beautiful blue eyes and the perfectly groomed stubble covering his extremely handsome face. He also has a really sexy smile. I hate that he's smiling right now. It's only a slight smile but still, why isn't he getting upset about this?
Forcing my eyes away from him, I turn back to the officer. "Can I just pay the fine and be done?"
As I say it, I realize I don't have money for a fine. I could charge it, but I'm not sure that's allowed.
"Sorry, ma'am but that's not how it works. You'll need to show up in court and let the judge decide."
"Decide what? Isn't there a standard fine for littering? What if I go back right now and pick up the bottle?"
"You'll need to appear in court," he says, which I guess means picking up the bottle won't help me. "Any other questions?"
"I think we're good," Audi guy says, his eyes on me, that slight smile still on his face. I'm angry he answered for both of us and feel like I should ask another question just to prove to the guy I wasn't finished, but I can't think of anything to say.
"Have a nice day." The officer turns and walks back down the road, picking up the remaining pieces of paper and heading toward the water bottle that I know I didn't toss out the window. It must've fallen from my hand when I grabbed the steering wheel in an attempt to stay on the road after the paper flew on my windshield.
"Sorry about that," Audi guy says. "I was on a call with my boss and the papers were on the dash and next thing I knew they were—"
"I have to go," I say, walking back to my car.
"Anything I can do?" he yells from behind me.
"You've done enough!" I yell back.
I get in the car and immediately roll up the window so nothing else flies out. This is so ridiculous. Why couldn't I just go pick up the bottle? If I'd known it was there, I would have. I never litter. I always toss out my trash. I even toss out trash that's not mine. I'm the last person anyone would ever call a litterbug, and now here I am, getting ticketed for littering.
It's all because of that stupid guy. I know he said it was an accident but that doesn't mean I can't be angry about it. Or angry at him.
So much for a relaxing weekend. Maybe I'll feel better when I get to the inn.
Chapter Two
Sophie
The old man at the check-in desk smiles at me as I walk in. It's Tom, the owner. I remember him from last summer. He reminds me of my grandfather, who passed away a couple years ago. Tom is rounder around the middle and has more hair than gramps did, but he's got the same kind face and welcoming smile.
"Sophie Chambers," he says. "Good to see you back."
"You remember me?" I ask, shocked because he's probably had hundreds of guests since last summer.
"Of course. I remember all my guests."
"That's amazing." I set my bag down. "You even knew my name."
"It's on the reservation," he says, holding up a wide book with a red cover. There's no online reservations here. You have to call and actually talk to someone.
"It's still impressive you remembered me," I say, getting out my wallet.
He looks behind me. "You're not with Mr. Radcliff?"
I shake my head. "That ended a few days after we left."
He frowns. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It was for the best." I hand him my credit card. "We weren't a good match."
His brows rise. "Here with someone new?"
"No." I smile. "I'm single. My job keeps me busy. I don't really have time to date."
"There's always time
