Page 6 of Recklessly, Wildly Yours

“I’m not sure that’s a safe thing for me to agree to since I know you’re willing to engage in wild antics.”

She laughs and I like that I helped her do that. “Can I stay with you today? I mean, in your car while you attend your brother’s wedding.”

I process her question while also processing everything that’s happened since she ran into traffic and caught my attention. This has to go down as the strangest way I’ve ever met a person.

When I don’t answer her straight away, she says, “Sorry, just ignore that question. It’s asking way too much of you.” She appears embarrassed as she turns her gaze out the window.

I reach for her arm and gently curve my hand around her wrist. When I’ve got her eyes on me again, I say, “No, it’s not. I wasn’t taking my time answering because I thought that. I was thinking that I’ve never met anyone like you. And yes, my car is all yours for as long as you need it.”

“I appreciate this. I just need a moment to catch my breath and figure out where to go from here.” Her gratitude is woven through every word she utters.

“If you decide you want George to take you anywhere, just say the word. I don’t need the car after I get to the wedding.”

“This is very kind of you.”

“No. Kind was me letting you faceplant in my lap.” I grin for a moment. “This is just what humans should do for each other when they’re having a bad day.”

If I’m not mistaken, this means a lot to her. I get the impression she’s close to tears. But she locks her emotions down fast and says softly, “Thank you.”

We’re in the middle of this when George slams on the brakes and curses.

“What is it?” I ask, not seeing any reason for him stopping when I glance out the window.

Before he can answer, the blonde whose name I still don’t know exclaims, “There’s a puppy in the traffic! We need to help it.”

“Honey,” George says. “We don’t have time to chase a dog. My life won’t be worth living if I don’t get Ethan to this church on time.”

He’s right. Olivia will have words for both of us if I’m any later than I already am. However, I’m not sure I have it in me to leave a puppy to flirt with harm in busy traffic.

I’m still working through these thoughts when my runaway bride takes matters into her own hands and opens the car door before George starts driving again.

“Fuck,” George mutters as she makes her way into the traffic to save the dog. He looks at me in the rearview mirror. “This chick is a handful. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

I chuckle. “Getting myself into? I think I’ve already gotten myself into whatever this is.” I look at her running after the puppy. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“You hope,” he says as I leave the car.

I jog to the blonde and together we save the dog while horns blare at us for the second time today.

“For a woman who was hellbent on not being seen, you’re living dangerously now,” I say as we walk back to the car, puppy safely in her arms.

She looks up at me. “We couldn’t leave a puppy, Ethan.”

Her use of my name reminds me I don’t know hers. “What’s your name?”

“Maddie.”

“Okay, Maddie”—I open the car door for her—“let’s make a deal.” I follow her into the back seat. “If you stop running into traffic, you can have my car tomorrow too if you want.”

Remorse fills her face. “No more stopping. I promise.”

I catch George’s look of disbelief and return a look that says to cut her some slack. I may not have decided to stop for the dog before she made the decision, but I know I would have gotten to that choice too.

As we continue the drive to the church, I watch as Maddie allows the puppy to lick her face and excitedly jump all over her. I get the impression from the joy that fills her entire body that she’s a dog lover.

“Do you know what breed she is?” I ask as the dog jumps into my lap and proceeds to lick my face.

Maddie smiles as she watches the puppy show me love. “A Maltipoo.” At my blank look, because I’ve never heard of this breed, she elaborates. “A cross between a Maltese and a poodle.” She squeezes the dog. “She’s so cute.”

---