Page 5 of Forever and Always
Starting the engine, I pull out carefully and drive onto the road. “Where are you heading?” I ask, my eyes on the road but my attention divided between driving and the man beside me.
“To my wedding event office building,” Bobby replies, glancing out the window. “Do you know where Rachel’s Wed & Events is?”
I’m familiar with the place, but I ask Bobby for the address just in case. After plugging the location into the cruiser’s GPS, I follow the directions to his destination.
When we arrive, Bobby turns to me with a grateful smile. “Thanks again, Darke. I owe you one.”
I return the smile, feeling a hint of disappointment that our time together is ending. “No problem, Bobby. Just be careful out there.”
As he’s about to get out of the cruiser, a thought crosses my mind. I don’t want this to be the last time I see him.
“Bobby,” I say, catching his attention. “Can I get your number? I’ll let you know when your car’s ready.”
Bobby looks at me, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Sure, but you’ll pick me up later to drop me off there, right?”
This boy. This little prince who’s so damn cute, it makes me want to do things I probably shouldn’t. I grin at him. “Of course.”
He rattles off his number, and I quickly type it into my phone. I do the same for his phone as well. As I hand his phone back, our fingers brush, and I feel a spark of electricity shoot through me.
“Thanks, Darke,” Bobby says, his gaze holding mine a moment longer than necessary. “I appreciate it.”
I nod, trying to keep my cool. “No problem, Bobby. I’ll pick you up at 5 pm?”
Bobby nods, and as I watch him walk away, a sense of anticipation bubbles up inside me. I realize I’m looking forward to seeing him again, and it’s not just about getting him to his car.
As I drive away, I can’t help but wonder if this chance encounter might lead to something more.
5
BOBBY
As I enter the office, my co-worker Jenny looks up from her desk, her eyes bright. “Hey, Bobby! How’s it going? You look like you’re floating on air.”
I try to play it cool, but a smile sneaks across my face. “Just had a good morning, that’s all. Though my car did break down.”
Jenny raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Good morning, car trouble? Spill the tea, Bobby! What happened?”
I take a deep breath, weighing how much to reveal. “I had a bit of a car emergency, and this really cute—actually, hot—police officer came to my rescue.”
Jenny’s eyes widen with excitement. “Ooh, hot police officer? Give me the scoop!”
I laugh, feeling a bit giddy. “His name is Darke. He’s not just handsome; he’s also really kind and helpful.”
Jenny’s enthusiasm is palpable. “Bobby, this is amazing! You should totally get his number and ask him out!”
I blush, feeling a bit shy. “Actually, he already has my number. He’s picking me up at 5 pm to take me to the mechanics so I can pick up my car. And why would I ask a police officer out on a date?”
Jenny grins mischievously. “I say you should! People have seen the way you light up when you talk about him!”
Town gossip really moves quick.
I laugh, trying to deflect her teasing. “You’re just imagining things, Jenn. It’s really nothing.”
But Jenny’s words linger in my mind. I do feel a spark of excitement whenever I think about Darke. The way he smiled at me, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners—it’s enough to make me feel… a bit too excited.
I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts. “Anyway, enough about that. What’s the update on the Smithson wedding?”
Jenny winks, clearly not ready to let the topic go. “Oh, don’t think you can change the subject that easily! But fine, I’ll let it slide… for now.”
