Page 27 of Find Me in California

“California.”

“What’s in California?”

“Nothing of import.” His mouth pulls to the side. He toes the gravel. “That’s not true. My grandmother. I need to move her into a new home.”

“That sounds important.”

“Yeah, well, she somehow ended up broke with me listed as the secondary power of attorney,” he says, then surprises himself when he goes on to explain, “Thing is, we’re not tight. Never been. She doesn’t like me.” He takes one long drag and lifts his gaze to the horizon. “Doesn’t make sense why she’d want my help or think I’d give it,” he muses, recalling what Lenore told him. Elizabeth has something important to share about his mom. She knew how to get him to come.Rabbit, meet carrot.

“Maybe she’s sorry you two aren’t close. Maybe she wants to change that.”

Matt scoffs. “What she wants is to make me miserable,” he gathers, because she’s dredging up a past he’s avoided. She has to know the mere mention of his mom just reminds him that he failed her.

“I wouldn’t jump to conclusions if I were you. Give her a chance, hear her out.”

Matt grunts. Easier said than done.

Magnolia snuffs out the butt with the heel of her Birkenstock slides. She takes his hand and traces a line on his palm. A jolt of heat runs up his arm.

“Whoa.” That was something.

“You feel it too?” Her fingernail traces a vein along his forearm, inside his elbow, and over his bicep to his shirt sleeve. She grazes her lips over his knuckles. Desire washes over him at the damp press of her mouth.

“You’re friendly.” He watches her like a pivotal scene in a movie, unmoving, breath held, unable to look away. He’s bewitched and transfixed.

“You know me, Matty.”

“How do you know my name?” He removes his hand and steps back, a little creeped out. Aside from the fact he didn’t tell her his name, the only person to ever call him Matty was his mom.

But he can’t convince himself to abandon her on this road, and he’s feeling chill, in no rush to leave. He goes along with Magnolia’s charade, curiosity leading him like a dog on a leash.

He nods in the direction of her vintage luggage. “Where’d you come from?”

“Everywhere and nowhere.”

That, he understands. There were a few years after he left Elizabeth that he drifted from state to state before he landed in New York and met Dave.

“Where are you headed?”

“Home.”

She’s back to touching him. Her fingertips draw invisible circles on his chest, inching downward to his abs with each loop. Skin and muscle tighten under his tee. He exhales roughly, his body responding. What is she doing to him?

He retreats another step. Though he can’t stop looking at her mouth, the silhouette of her breasts through the blouse, and he hears himself asking, “Can I give you a lift?”

If she tells him home is in Canada, he knows he’ll drive her there.

“Yes.” Her agreement is the sweet taste of sugar to his ears.

Matt puts aside his promise to Lenore and his responsibility toward Elizabeth. He pushes tomorrow morning’s coffee date with Julia to the back of his mind. Grinning widely, stupidly, he retrieves Magnolia’s luggage with an enthusiasm he doesn’t recognize.

Magnolia settles comfortably into the passenger seat with a giggle when he opens the door for her, and she purrs with delight at the leather seats and dash. Her face is a mixture of wonder and innocent bemusement that has him smiling even more.

“Where to?” He settles beside her.

“You don’t mind?” she asks. “It’s a bit of a drive.”

“No prob. Wherever you need to go.”

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