Page 41 of Best Part of Me

There’s a dip in my belly, and anticipation burns between my thighs. Ryan Hurd’s song “To a T” plays through the speakers next. As if those lyrics weren’t already a weakness, it doesn’t help sitting less than three feet away from my childhood crush.

The Jeep veers off the highway and onto an exit where there are food and gas signs. Suddenly it feels as if a weight is pressing on my bladder and the need to pee soon is crucial. Maverick pulls into a Denny’s and parks the Jeep too far away for comfort. All I do is calculate how many more seconds that will add to me not reaching the bathroom.

I hop out before he’s turned the key. He hurries to meet me at the back of the Jeep, and we speed walk through the busy parking lot together.

“You trying to ditch me?” he asks, holding the door open for me.

I slip inside and instantly scan the restaurant for the Restroom sign. “Unless you want me to pee my pants, you should get us a table, and I’ll find you.”

I hightail it to the back of the restaurant and do the potty dance while I wait in line. Since I’m usually working on a Monday morning and not visiting my local Denny’s, I forget there’s a whole world out here that isn’t on the same schedule as me. There’s a young woman in front of me; she looks tough but really pretty. In front of her is an older woman with white hair, most likely retired. They both see me and my eye-catching dance and offer me to take cuts. I’ve never loved the kindness of strangers more.

While I’m washing my hands, I feel my phone vibrate in the back pocket of my jeans. My shoulders tense until I’ve dried my hands and see Rosie’s name.

Rosie

Morning! You up yet?

Me

Already on the road. We just stopped for breakfast at Denny’s.

Rosie

Wow. Big spender ??

Me

I don’t care where we eat I’m starving!

Rosie

Oh yeah???

I step out of the bathroom and glance around for a familiar face. When my gaze lands on him, my heart does this annoying shift in my chest. And then he gives me this cute nod with his chin and a closed-mouth smile that makes my stomach flip.

God, I love him.

Rosie

Tell me everything!

Me

As much as I REALLLLLLY want to spill everything now, it would take way too long in a text.

Rosie

You slut!

I bark out a laugh just as I reach the table.

“Everything okay?” A genuine expression of concern smears his face.

I blink at him and cough. “Yep. Perfect.” Scooting onto the bench across from him, I finish my conversation with Rosie.

Me

You have no idea.

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