“Once we take care of your car situation, we can discuss where and for how long you want to ride me.”
My eyes widened as I stared straight ahead. I felt his gaze on me, but I refused to look at him. I wanted to tell him I’d ride himany time, any place, but I refrained and kept my gaze out of the passenger side window.
I waitedfor her to respond to my comment but heard nothing. When I glanced in her direction, all I saw was the back of her head as she focused on what was outside the window. I wouldn’t press her about it . . . yet.
When I noticed Noelani standing on the side of the road, it wasn’t just the gentleman in me that wouldn’t let me keep going. There was something about her that compelled me to stop, and it couldn’t be ignored. When I got out of the truck and approached her, her beauty couldn’t be put into words.
She sported a short haircut with short bangs swooped to the side, perfectly arched eyebrows, and a nose I wanted to kiss right before doing the same to her luscious lips. Her light brown skin glistened in the sunlight and appeared to be blemish-free.
“If it’s not too busy, it shouldn’t take too long to get some new tires on. There’s a place where you can buy tires not too far from my uncle’s shop. I can help you choose the correct tires.”
“I’d appreciate that. My father is out of town on business, and my brother and cousins are handling an emergency at their place of business.”
“I don’t want to overstep if this makes you uncomfortable. I’m sure Kenai is more than willing?—”
“So, Rowdy. Does your personality live up to your name?”
I laughed at how she cut me off when I brought up Kenai, making it clear she didn’t want to talk about him.
“My mother would probably say so, but I think I’m fairly mellow.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t tell me if you were rowdy.”
“I got nothing to hide.”
“Are you saying you’re an open book?”
“I don’t go around telling random strangers my business. If I consider you someone special, you’ll eventually know everything about me.”
“What makes someone special to you?”
I turned into the parking lot of my uncle’s shop and drove to the back.
“A variety of things. I’ll come around and help you out.”
I cut the engine and hopped out of the car. She’d already taken her seat belt off when I opened the door. After she swung her legs around, I found myself with my hands on her waist, picking her up, and placing her on the ground.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go inside and see what’s on the schedule. If everyone is busy, I’ll do it myself.”
“Okay.”
As if it were natural, I took her hand and led her into the lobby of the shop.
“Sammi, this is Noelani. She was stranded on the road with two flat tires. Can you see when the next bay will be open?”
“Sure, but we don’t?—”
“Just check for me, please.”
Sammi looked back and forth between Noelani and me before pressing a few buttons on the keyboard.
“Bay three will be open soon,” she said with an attitude.
“Thanks.” I turned to Noelani. “I’ll be right back.”
I went to my uncle’s office and found him sitting behind his desk, looking over some paperwork. His wife suddenly passed away ten years ago, but he still had pictures of her on display in his office. I tapped on the door to get his attention.
