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It would be a damn miracle if we made it home without me either putting my foot in my mouth or attempting to kiss her one more time.
“You got that?” Lainey called to me as she stood with the door wide open, her foot resting at the bottom.
I didn’t dare pick up my pace. The only thing that mattered was getting this cake, Lainey’s hard work and devotion, through those doors and in place.
“Come on,” she said, egging me on. When I didn’t adjust my strides, she clapped her hands together. “You can do it. That’s a good boy.”
“Keep it up, and I’m holding you to belly rubs.”
With a laugh, she waited patiently for me to make my way through the doorway.
Once inside, Lanes took charge, greeting everyone as she moved through the venue with confidence and sunshine. Her rays touched all in her vicinity, making those lucky enough to be in her presence instantly brighten and offer a smile in return.
I placed the cake on a designated table and Lainey unboxed and made any last-minute adjustments. She stepped back, admiring her own work or maybe just making sure everything was perfect, before turning toward me and giving a high-five.
“All set?” I asked.
“We’re good to go.”
“Lead the way.” I followed behind her, and without the cake obstructing my view, my eyes lingered on the sway of her hips. Her beauty was natural, and I had no idea why I never noticed it before.
Outside, she inhaled deeply, and a smile spread wide across her face.
“Proud of yourself?” I asked. “You should be. The cake was amazing.” You were amazing.
“Why thank you. It did come out rather perfect. And it got here in one piece, so major win all around.”
“Ready to head back?” I didn’t want our time together to be over, but I didn’t mind the long drive we had ahead of us. I was looking forward to it.
“Yes, let’s go home.”
We hopped in the car, and I made a show of clicking my seatbelt. She let out that contagious laughter and turned the key…
The engine sputtered, squeaking like a trapped mouse.
And her laughter and car died simultaneously.
No. No. No. This was not happening. Not now. Not when I was hours away from home. And not when Nero, of all freaking people, was with me. I closed my eyes and prayed it was just my car being cranky. I didn’t give her enough time to warm up before I hit the gas. I mentally crossed my fingers and tried again.
This time I didn’t even get a sputter. It might as well be roadkill on the side of the road. There was no life left in this car.
“Fuck!”
Nero laughed, and I turned to him. “Why are you laughing, you jerk?” I swatted at his bicep.
He slipped his phone out and tapped the screen. “I’m sorry, but that f bomb was quite amusing coming from you.”
“I curse.”
“Oh, I’m aware, but that one had some force behind it.”
“Do you prefer I laugh and smile over the fact that my car has decided to end its life two hours away from home?”
The stupid check engine light no longer flashed, but the memory of it taunted me. I waited for the ‘I told you so’ to come from Nero, but it never did.
“Hi, my car broke down, and I’m hoping to get a tow.”
My eyes—hell, my entire body—snapped in his direction. He was already on the phone, handling the situation. But I couldn’t afford a tow. I couldn’t even afford to pay to get the damn car fixed in the first place.
