Jodi
Reid drops my car off at the Last Hope Inn before he drives Amber home. It’s where he’s staying while he waits out the holidays before moving on to the next place. I check in to my own room before he takes us over to Amber’s. I could stay at The Snowcap Inn instead, but I’d rather stay close.
He insists that he can do the work himself when she tries to argue that he should take it to the local mechanic. I swear every word out of her mouth only insults him more. The truck is filled with tense silence as we drive from the inn to Amber’s home.
She doesn’t bother to thank the man who saved us from walking to town, But I do.
He didn’t have to stop for us. I can feel her eyes rolling as I make plans to meet him for our date.
I’d rather go with him, but I haven’t seen Amber’s mom in almost a year.
If I skip out without visiting, I’ll never hear the end of it.
Reid goes on to Perfect Brews, while I help Amber carry her bags inside.
It's a short walk from the bungalow to the coffee shop, and I won’t be outside long enough to become cold. Not even in this sweater.
I can hardly believe I was so bold.
Buy me a latte. My cheeks burn from the memory. I’ve never asked a man out on a date.
He didn’t seem to mind though. His dark eyes lit up, and the beginning of a smile was teasing the corners of his lips. He looked happy until Amber joined us in the truck. His smile melted as soon as she started to argue with him.
“My dad trusts August,” Amber tells me once we’re out of earshot of the truck. Reid waits until we’re inside before he drives away. “We don’t know that man. He might not even be a certified mechanic.”
“He’s a good man, Amber.”
“You don’t know that!” she hisses.
The urge to argue burns bright in the back of my throat as I stare her down. I know he’s a good man. I feel it in my bones. But I can’t tell her that. She’ll think I’m insane.
Maybe I am. Trusting a man I just met? Definitely insane.
“Let’s give him one day,” I offer in compromise. “One day to fix my car.”
“Ugh,” she groans.
Her mother saves me from having to argue anymore.
Memories of the last time I spent the night on their couch have my back aching. My room at the inn is already paid for and I politely but firmly decline Felicity’s offer to spend the night. Unlike her daughter she praises the man willing to work on my car for free.
“Is he cute?” Felicity asks as Amber rolls her eyes.
“Ruggedly handsome with kind eyes.”
“Average,” Amber mutters.
“Jealous,” I whisper back.
She sighs, her eyes rolling one more time before her face finally breaks into a smile.
“A little. He didn’t even look at me.”
“That wasn’t very nice of him,” I admit even though it thrilled me to watch him reject her advances.
Guys in college always liked talking to Amber.
She was more outgoing, better at flirting, and open to casual relationships.
They flocked to her. Reid though? He didn’t spare her a glance.
Having his full attention was the biggest turn on.
I couldn’t sit still. The looks he was sending my way had me dripping wet, and rubbing my thighs together did nothing to soothe my aching core.
“He thinks my name is Ashley,” Amber tells her mother. “The man didn’t listen to a word I said. Hopefully, he’s better at fixing cars.”
Felicity shoots me a sly glance, and I turn my head to hide my blush. We might only see each other once or twice a year, but she knows me too well.
“I don’t want to keep him waiting. He’s already at the coffee shop.”
“Go have your coffee,” Amber ushers me to the door. “Call me later if something naughty happens.”