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“Have lots of fun. I’ll see you in L.A.”

With that, Silas walked around the car to open the door for me. I offered Tess a wave, then I climbed into the passenger seat with my bag of snacks, my purse, and my messenger bag with my laptop hidden away inside.

I’d planned to spend the more boring parts of the road trip working on my book, now that I was so close to the end. I guess that was not going to happen now. And I didn’t even trust myself to work on it in my hotel room because now that the main characters had done the deed, they were going to keep doing it. I couldn’t have my mind on that kind of thing with Silas just a hotel room or two away.

I really wanted to get the first draft done. In case, when I fessed up to Silas, he was furious and my inspiration would go away.

Oh, well.

I’d have to figure it out if it came to that.

Silas climbed into his seat and slammed his door as the rain picked up.

“I got you a coffee.”

Looking down, I saw two cups from the local coffee shop I was always grabbing on my way to work.

“They know you there,” he told me.

“At the coffee shop?”

“Yeah. The second I said your name, they started working on your… coffee-like product.”

“You’re such a snob.” I shot him a smile. But it fell quickly when he leaned over the center console and reached around me, putting his face right near mine.

My breath caught.

My pulse skittered.

But he just reached for my belt, pulled it around me, and clicked it into place. The wicked smirk toying with his lips told me he knew exactly what the move had done to me, though.

“I prefer to think I appreciate coffee in its true form.”

“Its true form being bitter bean juice,” I said, reaching for my latte. “I didn’t realize you had a car.”

“I’m surprised you don’t.”

“I sold it. It’s a pretty walkable city since I live so close to work. I’m surprised you want to deal with the upkeep.”

“Travel can be complicated with my restrictions. I like knowing I have a way to get out of town if I need to. Like now.”

“It’s kind of crazy that they haven’t adapted public transit to have sun film.”

“It’s kind of crazy that most of your public transit is from fifty years ago. One battle at a time.”

“Fair,” I agreed. “So, I’m assuming by this coffee that you’re okay with eating and drinking in your car?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Some men are very particular.”

“What men?”

“One of my exes was. If I wanted even a sip of water while we were driving, I had to stick my head out of the window.”

“So, he’d rather risk your safety than allow you to drink a clear, harmless liquid in his car?” he asked. “How long did you stay with him after learning about the car rule?”

“A year.” And I hadn’t left him; he’d dumped me.