If she wasn’t so disappointed, she would’ve been radiant.
I hopped out of the car and started filling up the tank. All I wanted to do was get to Wichita for the conference. I had too many things I was set to attend and lecture on to be dealing with this type of shit. I didn’t want to deal with any more obstacles and I didn’t want to deal with the awkward pressure of having to be a specific way for Abby. I didn’t want to sit and be alone with this beautiful woman any more than I had to be, because every second that passed by wore me down another millimeter. The walls I’d thrown up in order to get my work done were being quickly eroded with every smell of her perfume and every glimpse of her I stole.
If I stayed on this road trip with her any longer than necessary, I was going to be in trouble.
The gas pumped stopped and I topped the tank off. I could see Abby standing at the cash register through the windows, smiling and talking to the man behind the counter. He was leaning up against it with his eyes roaming her body, and I clenched my jaw as I watched the sight. She was giggling and blushing, and he was obviously throwing down his best game. Jealousy rolled around in my stomach as she picked up the bags of things she’d purchased.
It should have been me making her smile like that.
The moment our eyes connected, the smile from her face dropped. A tight little grin crossed her cheeks, which I guessed was her way of staying cordial while still telling me I was a shit-bag person to be on a road trip with. She had a bag full of snacks and food, and a bag full of drinks hanging from her hands, all paid for by her.
“Thanks,” I said. “That should be more than enough to get us the rest of the trip.”
“And get us through any hiccups along the way, should there be any,” she said.
“I hope not. I’m ready to get to this conference.”
“Shocker,” she said, murmuring.
What did she expect me to say? That I wanted to get trapped with her again? That I wanted to toss her against a wall and fuck her senseless? That I missed her every single solitary night but I couldn’t call her or ask for her because of how the media might portray something like that?
What did this woman expect from me?
I capped off the gas tank and shut the little door before I climbed back into the car. The gray skies were completely blocking the sun, and even though it was only two o’clock in the afternoon, it seemed as if it was nine o’clock at night. Abby was already opening a bag of chips and a soda she’d purchased, but I was nowhere near hungry. I was more focused on getting back on the highway than I was my stomach.
“Remember what we were doing the last time we crossed into Iowa together?” I asked.
She turned her head towards me but she didn’t respond.
“You were belting out Christmas carols that were playing on the radio,” I said, grinning.
“And you were telling me to stop.”
“Well, you have to admit. Your voice leaves something to be desired. But I have to admit, even in the beginning, being around someone with your warmth and presence was nice.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes. Just like it is now,” I said.
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
“And that’s partially my fault. I never gave you a reason for why I didn’t call you after Christmas,” I said.
“Work,” she said, shrugging.
“What?”
“Work. It’s not some big secret. You have a busy year ahead of you. I didn’t expect to hear from you.”
“You didn’t?” I asked.
“Nope. You own a company that’s taking on a new venture. What could I have expected?” she asked.
I guess she had a point, but it still hurt that the conclusion on her end had been drawn so easily.
“You deserve better than that,” I said.
“I do. Which is why we’re not going to be Grinchy on this road trip,” she said.
“I can’t be a Grinch. It’s not Christmas anymore, therefore it is impossible.”
“Fine. So it’s why you’re not going to be an asshole on this trip.”
I threw my head back and laughed as we traveled down the highway.
“I’ll try not to be an asshole on this trip,” I said. “As long as you aren’t belting out Christmas carols in the car.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, as she turned on the radio. “They don’t play Christmas carols in February.”
The music filled the compartment and I groaned as the song flooded my ears. Everyone knew Queen. Everyone knew all of Queen. Every single song that group ever did. And I heard Abby draw in a deep breath before she unhinged her jaw to let that horrific voice loose.
“Can anybody—find me—somebody to love!?”
Chapter 4
Abby
It was hysterical, watching Colin cringe at my singing. I knew I couldn’t sing. I knew I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, not even if the bucket was reinforced with steel, and on wheels being pulled by a truck I was driving—I simply couldn’t do it. But the way he gripped the steering wheel and started breathing deep through his nose tickled me to my core. It was reminiscent of the Grinch he was when I first met him. Only this time, he was trying to be more gentlemanly about it. He was trying to keep the peace between us, even though things were pleasantly awkward.
But, part of
