“You mean besides the fact that you’re amazing?” she said.
“There is that. But what are we doing next?”
A dozen scenarios wafted in her brain, each one sounding calmer and cozier than the last. While she’d love to search out each and every one with him, the same anxiety she’d left her parents’ home with reared its head once more. Her smile dropped, and she watched her feet as they walked for fear she might slip on her way to the car. “Don’t hate me, but I should probably get going.”
“I see how it is.” Cole’s words were playful, but they didn’t mask the disappointment resting behind his eyes. Thinking of their mistletoe and of his heartfelt conversation and company, she didn’t blame him. He was probably on the same thought train.
“Sorry. My brother is at my parent’s house, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for Parker to stay there much longer.” It’d already been a few hours.
“Let me guess,” Cole said, squeezing her hand. “More drama.”
She exhaled. “More drama. A man in and out of jail for drug use isn’t exactly a perfect role model.”
“Sounds like he’s an example of how Parker shouldn’t behave. You could look at it like that. Jack was on drugs and turned his life around.”
“Jack?” she asked, remembering their friendly encounter earlier.
“Look at him now, reliable worker, superb grandfather. There’s hope yet.” Cole nudged her with an elbow.
She chewed her lip, nodding, not looking at him. Maybe he was right—just like her parents. Maybe she was too anxious. She released another breath, stopping at her white Chevy Cavalier.
“This you?” he asked.
“This is me.”
They lingered for several seconds, neither of them wanting to move.
“You sure you have to go?” Cole asked.
Saylor peered up at him, willing the words to come, to forget her worries and leave Parker to her parents. Them, she trusted. But Greg? Her mom said he was clean, but Saylor knew better. She knew he had a bad habit of neglecting things and letting them lie around—things little boys shouldn’t see or touch. What if Parker stumbled across something accidentally?
“I’m sure.”
Cole tipped her face to his with a cold finger, but his lips were anything but cool against hers. They speared heat directly down, firing through her in every direction.
“See you later,” he said, opening her door, closing it after she slipped in.
He waited just outside, hands in his pockets and giving her a great view of his midsection from her vantage point in the drivers’ seat. She turned the ignition. The dreaded whirring began, before the engine died completely.
“Oh no,” she said, embarrassment climbing from her stomach to her ears. “Not now.”
She tried again, praying it would turn. Again, the engine died.
Cole bent, knocking at her window with a single knuckle. “Get your hood,” he said through the glass.
Mortified, Saylor bent for the lever at the floorboard beneath her seat. A hefty click replied, and Cole lifted the hood before she got out again.
“Could be your fuel pump,” he said after a quick inspection of Saylor’s car’s inner parts.
She shivered, her chin starting to judder. “Fuel pump? You sure?” She wasn’t entirely sure what went into fixing something like that, but it didn’t sound good.
“Pretty sure,” he said, slamming the hood down. Of all things, he was grinning. “Looks like you aren’t going anywhere.”
His smug leer made her nerves tingle. The embarrassed tension drained from her muscles. She didn’t know who moved first before she found herself in his arms.
“You smell good,” she told him, inhaling his cologne through his coat.
“And you’re cold.” His warm breath stroked her cheek.
His heartbeat drummed in her ear. Her knees weakened, and she almost caved. She could text her mother, remind her not to leave Parker alone. She could extend her evening.
“I suppose I don’t have to leave right this second.”
Cole’s brows leapt. “Are you sure?”
“Hang on.” She pulled out her phone and shot a quick text to her mom. Everything going okay?
Everything is fine. We’re all watching a movie. Have fun and enjoy yourself.
She exhaled, and the motion slackened the urgency within her. A movie seemed harmless enough. She was worrying for no reason.
The smile she offered Cole only inserted the relief deeper within her. “Looks like we’re good. What should we do?”
“We could go to my place and watch a movie until it’s time to watch the ball drop,” Cole suggested. “I’ve got Amazon Prime. I bet we could find something we’ll both like.”
Movies meant snuggling and hopefully more kissing. “Sounds good to me,” Saylor said, dusting her hands.
“What about my car?”
“I’ll give you a ride home. You should be fine to leave it here until tomorrow, if you’re okay with that. I’ll help you get it into a mechanic.”
“Wow. That’s great of you.”
“Of course.” Cole’s hand slipped into hers. He guided her toward his truck a few rows up in the lot.
Once again, Cole’s truck started on its own before they even made it there. Saylor’s brows rose. She would never fail to be impressed by a vehicle’s capability of automatic start, especially since her car didn’t currently start at all.
“You’re spoiled,” she said
He grinned. “I know.”
Cole opened the door for her, waiting until she hefted herself up via the side handle before closing it again. Heat was already spewing from the vents. How nice would this be, to drive a pre-heated vehicle?
They really didn’t discuss it, or plan on making out right there in his truck in the parking lot. But after climbing in where it was already so warm, after Cole’s hesitation at the wheel, and the smoke-eyed smirk he gave her, after the way Saylor naturally found herself leaning in for a better view of the mischievous glint in his dark eyes, they magnetically ended up with his hands on her face, with hers in his hair, with their lips entwining while soft music serenaded in the background.
She hadn’t been kissed like this in a long time. And boy, could Cole kiss. He had the right
