“My brother, Ryder. He knows a lot of people who work on cars. He might know someone in this area who could help us out. I want to check with him before I call roadside assistance.”
I remember him mentioning his brother had a car business when he told me to have my tire replaced there. I ended up going to a local tire shop instead because I was too afraid it would somehow lead me straight back to Miles. Little did I know I would end up running into him anyway, a few days later at his bar.
He starts talking when his brother picks up, and I listen to bits and pieces of his side as he explains the situation. When he hangs up, he smiles at me.
“Good news. He knows a guy who can help us. He’s only fifteen minutes from here, and Ryder’s going to tell him our situation and see if someone can come out.”
“Okay,” I nod, feeling relieved that we might get a jump and be back on the road soon. “What if it’s the alternator?” I ask suddenly.
“Then we have a bigger problem,” he chuckles. “They would have to replace it, and more than likely, we would have torent a car to take to the winery today.” Reaching out, he brushes a stray piece of hair out of my eyes. “I see worry in those beautiful eyes of yours. I’ll get you to the winery today for work. I promise,” he smiles, dropping his hand.
His calmness about the situation has me feeling better. I give him a reassuring smile to let him know I’m okay. A text comes through, and he glances at it.
“Someone’s on the way already,” he grins. “I guess that’s the perk of owning a well-known restoration business. I’m sure his list is long with people who owe him favors.”
Reaching into the back seat, he pulls out our smoothies and hands me one. It’s ice-cold and feels good in this heat as I take a long drink.
“Thank you. The sun is insane today.” Setting the drink on the jeep, I take the twistie off my wrist and pile my hair up in a bun to cool off my neck. He watches me with interest, and his gaze alone is no match for this Florida heat.
His grey t-shirt is damp with sweat and clings to his chest sinfully. I have a strong urge again to swipe my tongue along his neck to taste the saltiness on his skin.
“I really wish I knew what you were thinking about,” he says quietly, studying me with such intensity that I’m almost afraid he will see right through me.
“It doesn’t matter,” I sigh, grabbing my smoothie and twisting the cap back on.
“I think it does matter,” he says, stepping closer.
“Don't make this harder than it needs to be.” I close my eyes so I don’t have to see what terrifies me most. There’s a thin line between lust and love, and I got it wrong last time and suffered greatly because of it.
I have Bee, though. I remind myself. It can never be a regret if something good comes out of it.
“I need to check my messages,” I say, avoiding his eyes andthe questions that come with it. I hear a frustrated sigh as I walk away and slide into the passenger seat. I check my texts and send one off to Miss Beth asking about Bee. Thankfully, she was free and jumped at the opportunity to spend the whole day with her.
I receive a picture back of Bee’s grinning face. It looks like they are in the middle of painting. A smudge of blue paint is smeared on her cheek, and a canvas sits next to her with what looks to be an ocean scene. Touching the screen lightly, I smile at her cute dimples.
When I first found out I was going to have to raise Bee alone, I was terrified. I knew my parents and sister would always be there for me, but it’s not the same. I never pictured myself having a child and not having someone I love to share it with.
I’m trying to fill the role of both mother and father, and it’s exhausting. I always question everything and wonder all the time if I’m enough for her. I’m petrified I’ll screw her up in some way and she’ll end up in therapy for the rest of her life because of me.
A tow truck pulls up behind me, bringing me back to the present. Miles and he talk briefly before trying to jump-start the jeep. After working on it for twenty minutes, Miles finally walks over to where I’ve been standing and observing them.
“It looks like it’s the alternator.” Lifting his ball cap, he wipes the sweat off his brow with his forearm before replacing it back on his head. “Sam’s going to tow it back to this shop, and he has a car we can use for today.”
“How long does it take to fix an alternator?”
“Only a couple of hours, usually.”
“That’s perfect. We can exchange cars on the way home.”
“Two hours if the part is in.” He hesitates briefly before continuing. “The part needs to be ordered, so it should be heretomorrow morning. He’s getting us in first thing, so we should be back on the road by ten.”
“What? We have to spend the night here?” Frowning, I rub the tension on my forehead that suddenly appears, giving me a headache. My heart hammers against my chest as I realize this just turned into an overnight trip together.
“I’ve never gotten that reaction before when a girl realizes she gets to spend the night with me,” he chuckles.
“I’m not one of your groupies.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I willneverbe one of your groupies.”
“I wouldn’t be going on a road trip and standing here sweating my balls off if I thought you were. I’m no longer interested in one-night stands and being used for clout. That shit got old real fast.”
