Page 55 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“What can I get you?” she asks, looking around.

“Four beers,” Noah orders. “And what would you like?”

“A Cosmopolitan and a Caipirinha,” Emily also orders.

“Of course,” says the waitress. “On the rocks?”

Grinning, she turns to Noah.

“Yes, please,” he says, and she turns and stomps away. I watch her for a moment and turn to Noah. He puts his hand on my thigh, without comment but hidden from the others under the table. The spot he touches tingles pleasantly.

“I'll tell you,” Harry says. “That was the sickest car I've ever driven.”

He has my attention.

“Which one?” I ask and he looks at me like I'm kidding. As if it can’t be a matter of interest for a woman.

“Sorry, but I don't think that's your area of expertise, Cara.”

Well, I’ll say!

Well, unfortunately, it's exactly my area, because I love cars. Noah smiles and I raise my eyebrows.

“Is that what you think?” I ask. “Why?”

“You don't look like you know anything about cars and horsepower,” he answers casually. “Right guys?” Asking for his buddies' approval, he looks around. “No offense, okay?” he adds.

“Why don't you tell me what kind of car it is and then you can think about whether I have a clue or not,” I reply sourly.

Harry blushes and his friends, Daisy and Emily, look at him challengingly.

“I work in a garage and recently drove a Ferrari there.”

Now we are getting closer.

“Model?” I want to know and Noah can barely hold back his laughter.

“It was an SF90 Stradale,” he replies, as if I'm finally out of the conversation. But I'm not, and the fun is just beginning.

“Sounds good,” I reply. “The engine runs fine if you give it a good kick. But don't put too much stock in it.”

“Wha... what?” he stutters. “Have you ever driven a car like this before?”

Alex and Noah laugh out loud and Jamie looks back and forth between us, irritated.

“I drive it every day. It's good, no question, but you should drive a Lamborghini Aventador sometime. It's really fun.”

“Come on, Cara,” he says. “The joke's over now, yeah? Let it go.”

“I don't know what your problem is and why you think I'm not capable of having a serious conversation with you about cars. But if you don't know what's good and what's not, maybe you should stick with a Ford or a Dodge.”

“Okay, fine!” Oh dear ... I've dented his ego. “Then tell me why you can compare Ferrari and Lamborghini?”

“Because I own them,” I blurt out. “And before you ask, a Porsche 911.”

“Wow!” Daisy exclaims. “Where did you get all that money?”

Now everyone is looking at me and I regret opening my mouth. Of course, they want to know how a twenty-two-year-old can afford these cars.

---