Page 15 of We Can Forever

I’ve just backed into his truck, and this is what he starts with? “I’m…good. How are you?”

“Better now.”

I have to laugh. “I just hit your truck.”

“Eh. She’ll be fine. Your car, on the other hand…”

“Maybe my plan will cover it.” I scramble for my insurance card, afraid to even know what he sees back there.

“You’re leaving your class here, right? Katie told me about it. What are you doing now? Are you busy?”

I stop digging through my purse. “Um, no. My friend is at the store covering for me. I was going to go home and rest.”

I swallow hard, wanting to tell him why I need to rest before I’m even tired but finding that explaining this requires Herculean strength.

“Hmm.” He scratches his chin. “How about I take you to my friend’s auto shop. He owes me a favor. I can have him buff off the scratch on your bumper.”

“That’s not necessary. It was my fault, and?—”

“I want to do it. I can text Jenny and have her pick up Katie and her cousin.” His eyes bore into mine, and I lose strength in each muscle, including my tongue.

“O-okay,” I stammer. “Thanks.”

“Perfect.” There’s that smile again. The one that’s so blinding it puts the sun to shame. When he turns it on me, I would probably do just about anything he asked.

“Perfect,” I repeat, because my brain is mush and I can’t think of anything original to say.

“I’ll lead the way.” He strides to his truck, and I follow him away from school and to the bridge that connects the mainland to Pine Island.

What at first seemed like a wrench thrown into an amazing week is turning into another blessing. The universe seems to want Michael and me to be together.

For the first time in a long while, every area of my life is looking up. I don’t even feel like I’m waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Grinning like crazy, I leave my window down and catch a fresh breeze, not minding the chill. It really feels like nothing could hurt me right now anyway—and, perhaps, ever again.

Chapter Six

MICHAEL

“Do you have an hour and a half to wait?” Nathan wipes oil from his hands and looks between Hannah and me. “You could go hang out at the coffee shop for a bit.”

I have to check my laugh. He’s bluffing. It’s the slowest part of the day; he’s always talking about how he finishes the dropped-off cars in the morning and then doesn’t get another rush until the islanders get off work around five.

“Do we?” Hannah turns to me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nathan grin. My suspicions are confirmed—my buddy is trying to set me up.

I’ll have to buy him a drink next time we go out.

I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to ask Hannah out for a do-over, but I’ve been swamped with work and Katie. The fact that we bumped into each other today—literally—is perfect. And since Jenny has the girls, I can steal away for a little while.

“I do,” I say. “Does that work for you?”

“Um.” She adjusts her glasses and shifts her weight.

That’s right. She had said she planned on going home and resting. Is she not feeling well?

“No pressure,” I tell her. “I can drive you home, if you like, and then bring the car to you once it’s done.”

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