AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why must you fill the time?” If she didn’t have anything to do, she’d go down to the beach and lie there until sunset.
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“Sit down and relax.”
“You know that’s never been something I’m capable of.”
Nolan had always been a busy and on-the-go type of person. He couldn’t sit still for two seconds, preferring to always find ways to occupy his mind. Even at the beach, he couldn’t just lay in the sun. He’d need to go for a walk, play frisbee, swim, or anything else other than just relax. “I know, but now you have the time. It might be worth trying.”
“Another day. Right now, we have to buy you a new pipe and a soldering gun. Let’s go. I’ll drive.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to get your fancy car dirty or anything.”
“It’s just a car.”
“A car that’s worth more than I make a year at the flower shop.”
“If you prefer to ride on the roof, I’m sure I can figure something out.”
“Or I can drive.”
“Despite my current circumstances, I like my life and want to live another day.”
“Hey! I’m not a bad driver.”
“Did you or did you not drive over an island in the middle of a parking lot?”
“It should have had a marker on in.”
“Because the tree sticking it out of wasn’t enough.”
“At least I didn’t hit the tree. And besides, it was dark and that parking lot was poorly lit.”
“Okay, what about the time you drove down the one-way street or backed into the wall of McConnell’s Market?”
The street was poorly marked and the wall incident… Well, she hit a wall there wasn’t much arguing there. “A driver is only as good as their teacher.” Her eyebrow arched in his direction. After all, he was the one who taught her.
He held his hands up in front of him, causing his biceps to flex tight against his t-shirt. “If the student doesn’t listen, it’s hard to teach them.”
She planted her hand on her hip and rolled her shoulders back. “I listened.” Or so she tried, and he had been so patient with her. Both her parents had tried and failed to teach her. Even Grandma had given a good old-fashioned go at it, but after one lesson they all had thrown in the towel, swearing they’d never get in the car with her again. Nolan, on the other hand, never slammed his foot into the passenger side floor like her mother, screamed and pointed at every passing object like her father, or signed the cross and prayed for a miracle like Grandma.
He flicked his gaze to hers, and she nearly melted when those blue eyes locked with hers. The playfulness she always loved about him, came to the surface, and heat unraveled in her chest, spreading around her heart.
She motioned her hand toward the sports car. “Is everything even going to fit in your car. It’s kind of… small.”
“At least I’m not trying to overcompensate with something large.”
“I was thinking more like showing off your wealth.”
The playful look faded, and his eyes turned serious. “I worked hard for this car. Sacrificed a lot.” His gaze penetrated hers with an intensity that had her taking a step back.
“I know.” Her voice was a breathy whisper, and she swallowed down the sudden uncomfortable lump in her throat. “Okay, we’ll take your car.” Before he could acknowledge her with a response, she opened the passenger side and plopped in the seat.
When she shut the door, she exhaled and inhaled deeply, taking a moment to gather herself. But when she inhaled, his familiar scent filled her senses. A combination of the juicy crispness of a bergamot and the woodsy aroma of Amberwood.
Memories of being in his arms, her nose pressed against the crook of his neck raced through her mind. The scent used to be one of comfort, and now it was another reminder of the life they no longer shared.
He got in his side and closed the door. The car was small, but with his big frame inside, the doors closed on either side; it seemed impossibly small.
