Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Please do.”
Even though it sounded like her battery was shot, I checked her cables and the line to her battery. They looked okay, so I climbed into the front seat and turned the key. And just as I expected, there was nothing. I got back out and started for my SUV as I told her, “Let me grab my jumper cables, and I’ll try jumping you.”
She nodded, then watched as I got back in my SUV and drove it around to the front of her car. I grabbed my cables from under the backseat and popped the hood. In a matter of minutes, I had everything connected and ready to go. I got back in her car and turned the ignition. I expected her car to start right up, but it didn’t. “Damn.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Looks like the alternator is a goner.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“It isn’t going anywhere tonight. At least, not without a tow.”
“Damn. I do not need this right now. It’s gonna cost me a fortune.”
“Maybe not.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”
“Well, I hope this guy is into discounts or coupons or something because I’m gonna need it.”
“I’m sure he’ll help you out. How ‘bout I give you a lift home, and we can make arrangements for him to get it in the morning?”
“Are you sure? I could call an uber or...”
“I’d be glad to take you.”
“Great. I’d really appreciate it.”
I closed the hood of her car while she grabbed her keys and purse from inside the car. Once she had everything she needed, she locked it up and followed me over to my SUV. I opened the door and helped her inside. As soon as she was settled, I walked around and got inside next to her. Even though I knew where she lived, I turned to her and asked, “Now, where are we headed?”
“I’m about six miles down on your right. Turn on Chess Creek Road. It’s a small white house on the corner.”
I nodded, then pulled off the shoulder and onto the main road.
I knew this whole thing was a bad idea, but I had my opening, and I was damn well going to take it.
Maggie
I couldn’t believe it.
It was him.
It was really him, and oh my land, he was just as handsome as I remembered. And he couldn’t have shown up at a better time. The cars were always something my ex took care of, and I would’ve been completely lost if he hadn’t shown up when he did. He took care of everything. He got the name of a tow truck and had it towed to the garage, and if that wasn’t enough, he managed to get it done without costing me an arm and a leg.
He was my knight in shining armor, and he was smoking hot to boot.
My heart skipped a beat when his lips curved into a warm smile. There was no denying it. I was attracted to him, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt the same about me. Our little encounter had ignited something in us both, but neither of us seemed to know what to do about it.
After he made all the necessary phone calls, we stood in the kitchen in awkward silence until he announced, “I should go wait on the tow.”
“Oh, um… okay.” This was it. I was running out of time. I needed to think of some way to see him again, and I needed to do it without sounding completely pathetic. He’d just started for the door when I gathered the courage to say, “I really appreciate your help tonight. Why don’t you let me make you dinner as a way of thanking you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Maybe not, but I’d like to.”
He studied me for a moment, then said, “You didn’t call.”
He was right.
I didn’t.
I’d considered it a hundred times since that night, but I couldn’t muster the courage to send a message or call. I was too scared. Chad had really done a number on me. Since my self-esteem was basically non-existent, I only seemed to feel worse after seeing what Keeley and Ryan went through. I wasn’t sure my heart could take another hit, so I put my phone away and tried not to think about him.
It wasn’t easy. Our little encounter had left quite an impression on me, and I hoped there could be more. And now that he was standing in my kitchen, asking why I hadn’t called, I was feeling hopeful once again. "I wasn't sure if I should."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated."
"It doesn't have to be."
"Well, it's me we're talking about, and everything in my life is complicated. From kids to my ex to my work. It's all a hot mess."