Page 9

Where r u?

Moe:

R u ok?

Moe:

EMMA!

Moe:

U better answer me, girl.

B4 I call the cops.

I giggle as I read the last one and quickly text him back, letting him know that I’m okay and on my way.

“Your boyfriend worried?” Ryan asks and I shoot a sly grin over at him.

“Why, Officer Wheeler, is that your way of asking if I have a boyfriend?”

A slight blush stains his cheeks. “Guilty,” he admits with a chuckle and my smile grows.

“I don’t have a boyfriend.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, his eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning.

Oh, boy…

“Have any objections to going out with a police officer?”

I laugh, turning away from him to hide my smile. “Well, that wholly depends on the police officer, I suppose.”

He shakes his head. “You’re not gonna make this easy on me, huh?”

“Never.”

The cab grows quiet and I sigh as I look out of the window, trying to remember exactly how much money I’ve got sitting in my savings account right now.

“Something on your mind?” Ryan asks and I look over at him before sighing again.

“Just trying to figure out how much new tires are going to set me back. I was saving up to buy a new car but now I’m afraid I may have to start over.”

“New tires shouldn’t run you that much. A few hundred bucks, maybe.”

I nod. “Yeah, I know but I just started saving up for the car and it’s disheartening to start over. I’m sure I’ll figure it out though.”

He nods, not responding to my statement and I sigh again, leaning back in the seat and turning to stare out the window until he slows and turns into the bar’s parking lot. He stops right in front of the door and turns in his seat to face me.

“Let me try this again. Would you like to go on a date with me, Emma?”

I purse my lips and look off into the distance, pretending to think it over and I almost lose it when I catch the desperate expression on his face.

“Come on, Honey. Give a guy a break.”

“Hmm,” I hum, thoroughly enjoying the tease as his eyes widen. “Okay, Ryan. I suppose I’ll let you take me out sometime.”

His victorious grin sends warmth spreading through my chest and he holds his phone out to me. “Put your number in here and hand me yours.”

I hand over my phone and quickly program my number in his contacts while he does the same. When we’re finished, we swap back and I climb out of the car, closing the door before leaning down to talk to him through the open window.