Page 138 of Smooth Sailing

“We done with your interrogation?” he asked.

“I’m not interrogating you,” I declared.

His head tipped to the side and one side of his lips hitched up.

I rolled my eyes and tugged his hand to get us going again, admitting, “Okay. Minor interrogation. Relax. I didn’t pull out the thumbscrews.” I paused for maximum comical effect. “This time.”

He chuckled and beeped the locks on my car.

I got in the passenger side of Baby Shark, a seat I’d never taken.

It was comfy.

As I put on my belt, Hugger adjusted the driver’s side before he even attempted to fold in.

It seemed he did it without too much trouble, however, he looked squeezed in once he closed the door.

And now I was considering buying a new car…for a man. Even if it’d be my car and only sometimes would he be driving it.

Yeesh.

I had it bad.

The thing was, deep down, I didn’t really care.

No.

I was pretending to care because I felt like I was supposed to, even though it felt totally right having it bad for Hugger.

“Are you comfortable?” I inquired while he was latching his belt.

“No. Because I’m scared as fuck one of Phoenix’s desperado drivers is gonna make us become one with this scrap of metal.”

That was when I chuckled and leaned forward to program Dad’s address into the satnav so Hugger could get us there without me having to direct him.

We headed out.

“Do you only own your bike?” I asked.

“Nope. We get weather in Denver, so I also got a truck.”

“What color is it?”

“Silver.”

“Do you like snow?”

“Lanie and Hop got a place up in Vail. They let anyone use it if they aren’t up there. I like to head up when it snows. Their place is away from the slopes. Peaceful. Seems more of that when snow is on the ground.”

I could see that.

“Don’t like drivin’ in it,” he continued. “I know how. Others don’t. They’re the problem and you got no control over it.”

“I’ve never driven in snow, and I need a jacket if it gets close to seventy degrees,” I shared.

He busted out laughing.

I reveled in it because I was noticing he didn’t laugh all that much.

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