Page 46 of You're the Reason

“Oh right.” A giggle escaped. Well, that was embarrassing. Things had been extra tense between them since he’d helped her dance the first time. It was like they didn’t know how to be around each other.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Maybe if she wanted them to be friends, she should talk to him like she talked to Mallory. “Maybe I should have a special ringtone.”

He gave a slight chuckle, but his shoulders seemed to relax a little. “What would it be?”

She lifted his phone. “May I?”

He nodded and looked at it to unlock the screen.

She set to typing and soon had it set. She locked the screen then picked up her phone and called him again. “Dancing Queen” filled the air.

“You cannot make that your ringtone. You have to change it.” But the laughter in his eyes undermined the instruction. “So where are you coming home from with such a large bag?”

“Going to. I was on my way to Chicago for that audition.”

“Wait, the one you’ve been training so hard for?” He gave her a quick glance, then focused back on the road.

“The very one.” She lifted her cell. “That reminds me, I need to message Alec that I won’t be there.”

“But I thought this audition was important.”

“It is. But the audition is in four hours. Unless I can learn to fly, I’ll have to reschedule.” If they let her reschedule. She should probably message Mallory too.

Seth pulled the car to the shoulder.

She lifted her gaze from her phone. “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting you to Chicago for your audition.” He checked his mirrors and then made a U-turn back toward 31.

Grace gripped the armrest on the door. “I’m pretty sure that was illegal.”

“No one was coming.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I know what it’s like to want something. I was?—”

Red and blue lights flashed in the car as a small blip of a siren said the rest. Seth pulled the car to the side of the road, his lips pressed into a flat smile as he withdrew his license and registration. He rolled down his window, then placed his hands on the steering wheel. “Sorry.”

“You’re sorry? You turned around for me. I’m?—”

Her words were cut off by the appearance of Officer Hammond at Seth’s window. The man eyed Seth for a moment. “I assume you know why I pulled you over, Seth.”

“Yes, sir. My bad.” Seth lowered his eyes.

“It’s a new day, Seth. I’d like to believe it.” The man took the documents and tapped them on the window. “But I keep seeing you. Just two months until I retire, Seth. Two months. You’re killing me.”

“It won’t happen again.” His voice was flat, his eyes unmoving.

Officer Hammond leaned down and peeked at Grace. “Grace Howell?”

“Hi.” She offered a little finger wave and smile.

“Everything... okay?” His gaze darted back and forth between her and Seth. Seth’s gaze just stared straight ahead, his face growing red.

“We’re really sorry, officer. You see, I’m late for an audition in Chicago and Seth was trying to help me get there.”

“You two are headed to Chicago?” His gaze flicked to Seth, but he directed the question to Grace. “For how long?”

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