Page 127 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

Blane noticed. “You like it.”

“I really do.”

She drove another few minutes before turning back toward the dealership.

“Well?” she asked.

He looked around the little interior as though giving the question serious consideration.

“I hate it.”

She stared at him, and he kept his expression straight for another second before his mouth twitched.

“Oh, you horrible man.”

He laughed. “It’s a good little car, Bea. You can see out of it, you’re comfortable driving it, and it’ll fit down narrow village roads.”

Her smile widened. “So you approve?”

“Didn’t know I got a vote.”

“You don’t.”

“Then why’d you ask?”

“Because I want you to approve.” The words slipped out before she could think about them.

His expression softened. “Well, I do.” That was all he said, but it was enough.

Back at the dealership, the practical part took less time than Bea had expected. Manolis talked her through the paperwork, insurance, and registration arrangements, and although Blane stayed nearby, he didn’t hover over her shoulder or answer questions for her. When she wanted his opinion, she asked for it, and when she didn’t, he let her get on with it.

By the time Manolis placed the keys in her hand, she still couldn’t quite believe she’d done it. It was now her very own car. It wasn’t Simon’s choice for her, or something practical they had agreed on together because it made sense for their life. This one was all hers. She looked through the showroom window toward the little blue Ignis waiting outside and smiled.

Blane came to stand beside her. “Happy?”

“Yes.” She looked up at him. “Very.”

“Good.”

Then she looked at the Ignis again, and a less pleasant realization followed. “We have two cars.”

“Yeah.”

“That means we need to drive them both home.” She knew she was stating the obvious but hoped he’d pick up on what was really bothering her.

His eyebrows drew together.

She gave him a look. “What are we going to do tomorrow? I want to come to the airport with you, but then I need something to drive home.”

Blane’s expression changed. “We’ll have to bring both tomorrow. You follow me in the Ignis.”

Her heart sank at the thought. She didn’t want to spend their last drive together looking at each other through separate windscreens. “No.”

He watched her.

She shook her head. “I don’t want that.”

“You’re right—me neither.” For a moment they stood there looking at each other, and then Blane glanced toward the cars outside. “What if we take yours to the airport now?”