Page 11 of Captured Heart

I pull the wire loose, tucking it slightly out of place to ensure it looks natural to anyone who doesn’t know better. It’ll disrupt the ignition system just enough to stall the car, but not cause any permanent damage.

I close the hood gently, then move my pickup, so it’s parked diagonally opposite hers before I head back inside to finish my session with Zayn and Corey. The two guys call it quits about half an hour later, but Katelyn is still busy, so I tell them I’m going to stay back and do a few more sets before I leave.

I track Katelyn from the corner of my eye as she moves from machine to machine, keeping myself busy at the weight section. As soon as she walks to the locker rooms, I go back outside and wait at my car.

A few minutes later, she comes out, swinging her gym bag over one shoulder, her ponytail bouncing as she walks. I pretend to be unlocking my car, but she doesn’t notice me, anyway.

She climbs into the driver’s seat, tosses her gym bag to the back, and turns the key. The engine sputters but doesn’t catch. She tries again, her brows furrowing. After a third attempt, she slams the steering wheel in frustration, pops the hood, and gets out of the car again.

“Car trouble?” I call out, approaching with just the right amount of casual concern.

She startles slightly, looking up. Recognition flickers in her eyes. “Oh, hey, Alex.” She says my name so naturally that it makes me feel like we’ve known each other for years, even though we met barely an hour ago. “Yeah, it won’t start. I don’t know the first thing about cars, so I don’t even know what I’m looking for.”

“Mind if I take a look?” I ask, already stepping toward the front of the car.

“Please.”

I lift the hood, glancing at the loose wire I’d disconnected earlier. “Hmm,” I mutter for show. “Looks like a connection might’ve come loose. Give me a second.”

I carefully reconnect the wire, making it seem like a more involved process than it actually is. “Okay, try it now,” I say, stepping back.

She slides into the driver’s seat and turns the key again. The engine roars to life, and the relief on her face is almost enough to make me feel bad about what I’ve done.

“You’re amazing.” She gets out of the car again and walks to the front to shut the hood. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here.”

“Not a problem,” I reply with a shrug. “But you should probably get it checked out soon. Might need some maintenance.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“I’ll follow you home. Just in case.”

Maybe it’s the directness of my tone, but either what I said or how I said it freaks her out because her response is immediate. “No, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Fuck! The whole point of doing this was to get her to lower her defenses and earn her trust. I was hoping she’d see me as theGood Samaritanand let me follow her home. Then once we got back to her place, she’d be kind enough to invite me in for coffee or something to say thank you.

Don’t people do that anymore? Did they ever? I don’t know. I’ve never been nice to anyone. Maybe I pushed for too much too soon, and now she’s suspicious. I need an alternative. Fast!

“Alright. But call me if it acts up again, or if anything happens on your way home.”

Her smile is almost sheepish, as if she’s internally chastising herself for misjudging me. But her suspicions are one hundred percent valid. She hasn’t misjudged me at all.

“Uh...I don’t...have your number.”

“A problem that’s easily solved. Give me your phone.”

Once again, she hesitates, but after a moment or two, she digs into the pocket of her sweater and hands me her phone.

I save my number and swiftly move to another app. “Oh, crap. I accidentally deleted it.”

My eyes flick up for a split second to see if she buys it. She does, but I need to move quickly. I’m still getting used to this new technology, and I’m trying not to let my frustration show as I sift through her sea of apps.

“Let me try again.” I use the time I bought myself to share her location with me before handing her phone back. “There.”

“I’m gonna call you, so you can save my number, too.” She waits to hear my phone ring, then disconnects the call. “Thanks again, Alex.”

“No problem, Katie.”

Her face scrunches as if she disapproves of the nickname. “Most people call me Kate.”

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