Tessa’s gaze met mine, her cheeks pinking just a bit. So fucking cute. “It was nice to, um, see you again.”
I shot her my best grin. “You, too, sweetheart.” I’m not sure why thesweetheartslipped out, it just did. I was caught up in trying to show her just how charming I could be, but it was apparently the wrong thing to say.
Tessa’s face went white. I stepped forward a half-step, but she shrank back. “I-I need to go. Bye, Sarah.” And with that, she spun on her heel and was gone.
I stared at the door for a good thirty seconds before a throat clearing grabbed my attention. “You certainly have a way with the ladies.”
“Walker,” Sarah chided her son. She gave him a light slap on the stomach with the back of her hand as she passed, leading Noah into the living room.
Walker just chuckled. “Come on.” He motioned to the door, and we headed outside.
“I don’t know how, or why, but I keep screwing things up.” We walked out onto the porch and were about to head for the rockers when I saw that Tessa’s car was still parked. My eyes zeroed in on her form hunched over the steering wheel, her shoulders shaking.What the hell?
I didn’t think, I just strode down the steps and towards her vehicle. I circled around the front and knocked on the driver’s side window. She jumped.Fuck. When would I learn that this girl required movements the speed of molasses?I slowly opened the door.
“What’s wrong?” The words came out way harsher than I had intended. I tried to gentle my tone. “What’s going on?”
Tessa furiously wiped at her face. “It’s nothing.”
I crouched down next to the side of the car so that I was below her eye level. “It’s obviously something.”
She sniffled, trying to get the tears leaking from her eyes under control. “It’s stupid, I don’t even know why I’m crying. It’s not a big deal.” Her rambling would have been adorable if I weren’t worried as hell. “My car,” she finally got out, “it won’t start.”
My shoulders sagged with relief. Car problems I could deal with. I stood, extending a hand to Tessa. “Come on, let me give it a try.”
She hesitated a moment before taking my hand and letting me help her out of the car. “Thank you.” I hated how weak her voice sounded, how embarrassed she seemed.
I gave Tessa’s hand a light squeeze and then released it. “It’s no problem.” I lowered myself into the sedan that looked like it was on its last legs. The seat creaked and groaned as I shifted it back. My blood began to heat, and I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. Tessa shouldn’t be driving this car. No one should.
I turned the key in the ignition. Nothing. I tried again. A grinding sound came from the engine.Shit.I pulled out the key. Bending down, I tugged the release for the hood. Smoke billowed out.Double shit.
I could just buy her a new car, something that would keep her safe. It would be so easy. My hands flexed on the wheel. From the bit I’d come to discover about Tessa, I knew she’d never allow someone to do that. She’d barely accepted some drawing pencils.
What the hell?It wasn’t like I regularly considered buying random women new cars, but there was just something about this girl.
I shoved the runaway train of thoughts from my mind and pushed up and out of the vehicle. “Let me see if I can figure out what’s going on.”
Tessa nodded, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
Walker strode across the front yard. “Car trouble?”
I waved a hand over the engine, attempting to clear the smoke. “Yup.”
Walker let out a low whistle as he took in the situation. “That doesn’t look good.”
I gave a small shake of my head, hoping he’d get the message. Tessa did not need any extra worry at the moment.
Walker pulled out his phone. “One of my buddies is a mechanic. Owns the shop in town. I can have him come and take a look. Maybe tow it to his shop.”
Tessa took a step forward. “Don’t.”
Walker’s brows pulled together. “Why not? He’s great with cars.”
Tessa’s cheeks reddened as she looked from Walker to the porch that was now full of people. “I really can’t afford that right now.” Tears began to fill her eyes again, and I had to fight the urge to sock Walker in the gut.
Jensen reached our group just as Tessa finished speaking. “I can front you the money, Tessa. Don’t worry about it. You can just pay me back a little at a time, whenever you can.”
The blush on Tessa’s cheeks deepened as she stared down at her feet. I could see warring emotions battling on her face. I wasn’t sure if she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to pay Jensen back, or if it was something else that held her back from taking Jensen’s offer. But I couldn’t handle the emotion that seemed to dominate Tessa’s expression. Shame.
