Page 39 of Both Sides Now

"Be nice to her. I love Bessie."

I stifle a laugh. “You named your truck?"

"First, she's a Jeep, not a truck. Second, of course, I named her. Everyone names their Jeep. It's a requirement."

"Is that unofficial Jeep code?"

Keegan chuckles, opening my door for me. "Something like that."

I pull myself into the seat, acutely aware of his hand's proximity to my ass. "I only live a few blocks from here. I really could have walked."

Keegan slides into the driver's seat, Led Zeppelin filling the interior when he turns the key. Another surprise.

The man is apparently full of them.

"I really wasn't going to let you, so I'm glad you agreed to let me drop you off. Otherwise, I would have had to force your hand, and the passenger seat is more comfortable than the hood."

"Strapping me to the hood of your Jeep. What a pal."

Keegan chuckles, pulling onto Main Street. "I have my moments."

You have many of them, Keegan.

I twist my hands in my lap, embarrassed by my earlier show of emotion. “I feel bad. I spent the evening talking your ear off, and I still know nothing about you. Next time, I won't say a word. You'll do all the talking."

"I'm not that interesting."

"I'll be the judge of that. Besides, you can't knoweverythingabout me while I know nothing about you. That’s hardly fair. Make a right here, and it's the fourth house on the right."

He pulls into my driveway and shifts the Jeep into park. "Nice house."

"It is, even though I hate the damn place."

“Why do you hate it? Because it reminds you of Charlie?"

“No, that’s the only reason I like it. I wanted to live on the water, not in town, but the lake is thirty minutes away and the beach is half a day’s drive. Charlie wanted something convenient to his job, and this fit the bill. But it was his style home. Not mine.”

“The lake is a bit out of the way, but that’s why I chose it. There is a peace out there that is unmatched.”

I swivel in my seat, releasing a huff of indignation. “Of course you live on the lake. Do you love it?"

"I do. But I’ve considered selling."

Please, God, don't tell me he's moving. I've only just met him.

"It's a good market for it,” I reply, pulling my key from my bag before shooting him a coy smile. “Maybe I’ll buy it from you andtrulyenjoy the peace. Lucky bastard.”

“In many ways.” There’s that sexy as hell grin again. Gets me every time.

“Wait a minute. You drove thirty minutes to hang out at a hole in the wall bar?”

Even in the dim light, I watch a slight flush climb his cheeks. “Definitely not. I drove thirty minutes to see you.”

His words wash over me and just like that night in Edinburgh, I no longer feel the late winter chill.

Fumbling for my keys, I volley between my next decision. Do I keep chatting? Invite him inside? Kiss him?

So many choices with so many less than stellar outcomes.

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