Page 29 of Lucky in Love
“What does that mean?” He pulled out the ice pack, broke the mechanism inside that would make it cold, and laid it on her ankle. Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t complain.
“It means I don’t have anyone to come get me. This happens a few times a year when the rain comes too hard and too fast. Once it stops, the road will dry out quickly. Could you drive me to my cabin? I’ll wait it out there.”
She shivered violently and was fighting to stop her teeth from chattering.
“You need a doctor,” he said, going to the couch for the big red throw. “And to warm up. Get that wet sweatshirt off.”
She shed the sweatshirt and let him wrap the blanket around her shoulders.
“I’ll make some tea, put it in a to-go cup, and drive you to the doctor.”
“I can drive myself,” she said. “As soon as it stops raining, I’ll have you take me home.”
He stared at her, trying to ascertain whether she was telling the truth. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It feels better already. I’ve played with worse.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Fine. Maybe not worse, but I can deal with it.”
“You always this stubborn?”
“I’ve been told it’s one of my best qualities.” She smiled, and something akin to attraction shot through him. Was she flirting with him?
“Oh, yeah. By who?”
“No one you know,” she muttered defensively.
“Ah, ha.” He laughed at catching her in a lie. “I guess your boyfriend left then?” It was a safe bet, since she hadn’t mentioned him as potential help.
“Yup.” She nodded. “Just like all men eventually do.”
“That’s cynical.”
“That’s the truth.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
She rolled her eyes and waved a hand to dismiss the subject.
“You can do better,” Brody said.
“What do you know about it?”
“Never mind. I have my own problems and no room to talk.”
“You got something to say, say it.”
“Fine. I sat behind him on the plane ride up here. He flirted with the woman next to him the entire trip and asked for her number when we landed.”
“Yeah,” Alex said. “That sounds about right.”
“Like I said, you can do better.”
She shot him a look, and he wasn’t certain, but it seemed like maybe they had a “moment.” A sliver of time where they connected. But it came and went so quickly, he couldn’t be sure.
After putting the teakettle on, he went to the bedroom and changed his clothes, bringing her a hoodie when he returned.
