Page 35 of Waiting for Tuesday

The engine sputtered and groaned, not wanting to cooperate, so I turned the key harder, giving it a little nudge with the gas pedal.

“It’s being delivered tomorrow.”

“Oh,” I said, giving the engine a bit more gas, causing it to roll more but produce nothing. “Shit!” I slammed my hand hard on the steering wheel then tried again, but John’s hand covered mine, preventing me from trying again.

“Give it a second, or you’ll flood the engine.”

I snatched my hand away and turned to the window, frustrated by how quickly his touch affected me. But he was right. I was pushing the engine too hard, too fast. If I didn’t give it the time it needed, we’d end up stranded here all day, and that was something I couldn’t handle. I began to count. One, two, three, four—

“Do you want to talk about it?” His voice was gruff, flat, filled with an edge that cut into my heart.

He sounded pissed off, but I had no idea why. How could he possibly be upset? Because I gave him what he wanted? What a dozen women did on a weekly basis? Because I’d lost myself and looked like a fool? “No, I don’t.” I picked at a nick in the steering wheel with my finger.

“Suit yourself,” he muttered.

I looked over at him, to his eyes fixed out the front window. “How can you possibly be mad at me? I didn’t kiss you, you kissed me, remember?”

His eyes never wavered from the window as he shook his head. “I’m not mad at you.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“I’m pissed at myself!” He turned toward me. “I’m pissed because I should be able to resist you, but I can’t. I’ve wanted you since the moment I met you, and I caved—that’s it. It won’t happen again.”

My heart picked up speed, causing my chest to tighten with uncertainty, but I didn’t blink. I didn’t know what to say. Knowing he wanted me too, scared me to death. “You’re right.” I moistened my lips and forced myself to look away. “It won’t.” I turned the key in the ignition, and my truck roared to life. I took my phone from the center console, programmed the shop into navigation, and waited for Siri’s voice to fill the cab. I didn’t say a word the whole way back to Simply Tuesday’s, and neither did he.

Chapter SIXTEEN

John

* * *

“What’s wrong with you?” Lisa whispered, poking me in the ribs as I took another scoop of potato salad from the bar. The rest of the family was already seated in the dining room, and only Lisa and I lingered behind in the kitchen.

I continued filling my plate, ignoring her question before heading to the dining room to join the others. My mind had been consumed all afternoon by what happened with Tuesday. I shouldn’t have kissed her. I knew I shouldn’t have kissed her, but damn, I wanted to do it again. She was so responsive, so real… so damned sweet!

Lisa sat down on my other side and plopped her plate on the table. “You’rehiding something,” she whispered. “You’ve been moody since you walked through the door. I haven’t seen you like this since Tabetha Swanson.”

My brows furrowed and I pulled back to look at her. “You mean from second grade?”

“Yeah. From second grade.” She laughed. “That’s how ridiculous you’re being.”

I took a forkful of steak and shoved it in my mouth. “Thanks, sis. Love you too.”

“I’m not trying to be a nag. I just worry about you.” She leaned forward, her hand touching my shoulder as she whispered, “It’s not the letter is it? Because you have no control over that, you know that, right?”

I glanced down at the table at my parents. For the first time all week, I hadn’t thought about the letter. Somehow, the one thing that had consumed my thoughts for seven days was replaced with Tuesday in a single afternoon. Her lips, her smile, the way she looked so damned cute in those overalls.

I turned back to Lisa and rested my forehead on one elbow. “Have you ever told a guy no, when you really meant yes?”

She choked on her glass of tea and raised a brow. “No, John.” She laughed. “No means no. Always. Why the hell did you ask that question?”

I scratched the back of my neck then jabbed another piece of steak with my fork. “That’s not what I meant.” I took a bite. “You know what, never mind.”

She quickly sobered then wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I’m sorry, that was shitty of me. Are you okay? Did something happen?”

I knew I shouldn’t say another word, but for some reason, the words still poured right out of me. “I kissed the woman I’m working for today.”

Lisa took in a sharp breath and moved closer. “What? Your boss?”

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