Page 23 of Wine and Research
“Fuck this,” his buddy uttered, dropping his water bottle back onto the bench. “Time for another lap around the lake. You in?”
Jeremy sucked down the rest of his water and nodded. “Hell, yeah.”
Actually, he was ready for a lapinthe lake.
But he dropped his empty bottle in a designated recycle bin nearby, then fell into step with Nico, and together they completed another three miles. By the time they finished, their frustration was gone, and so were the women.
Jeremy pulled his shirt on, telling himself he was more relieved than bummed. After downing his second bottle of water, he threw it away, then grabbed his backpack on the way to the parking lot.
“That was a hell of an interesting jog.” Nico chuckled as they walked through a wooded trail.
It was one of the unusually warmer spring days, so Jeremy enjoyed the cool breeze and brief respite from the sun.
He grunted. “Not sure interesting is the correct word.”
“True.” Nico smiled.
“Did you have any idea those girls were so flexible?”
Jeremy swallowed a groan. “No, and I wish I didn’t know.”
He’d never get the image out of his head of Elle’s graceful body bent over backward. There was a better than great chance it would forever plague his dreams.
“I hear ya,” Nico said. “But still…damn.”
Jeremy nodded as they left the woods and followed the trail over a manicured lawn to a sidewalk that led to the day visitorparking lot. It was different than the one the overnight guests used for the resort.
“Oh, man. Sorry, pal,” Nico said, slapping his shoulder. “Looks like your torture isn’t over yet.”
Jeremy swallowed hard but remained silent as he and Nico headed to Elle who was bending over the open hood of her car.
“Need any help?” he asked.
She turned around and blinked at them. “Oh, hi. Thanks, but no. Unless you can recommend a good garage. I think it’s either my battery or alternator.”
He did his best to hide his surprise over the fact that she knew those parts of a car.
“I’m sure Jeremy won’t mind giving you a jump,” Nico said with a grin, and Jeremy clenched his fist and had to resist the urge to use them to wipe it from his face. “You know, to see if your car starts.”
Elle blushed but laughed. “You are so gracious to offer your friend’s help.”
Still grinning, Nico shrugged. “We both know he’s a Good Samaritan. I’d help, but that extra lap around the lake made me late. I need to grab a shower and get to the restaurant. They’re delivering a new pizza oven this afternoon. See you two, later. Behave…or not.”
With that, the asshat jogged down the parking lot to his car. Luckily for Elle, they’d arrived in separate cars, and she was parked facing the aisle.
“My vehicle is over there. I’ll be right back,” he said, making haste to his Jeep Grand Cherokee, and in less than two minutes he returned, parking with the front end of his vehicle next to hers.
She whistled. “Nice ride. Looks like it can handle the amount of snow and ice we get in a northeast winter.”
He nodded, opening his hood, admittedly surprised by the practical side of her mind. There was more to her than creativity and the need to torture him.
Keeping his mind on her car and not her ass, he dug jumper cables from the back of his vehicle and attached them to both of their batteries, but when she tried to crank hers over, it just clicked.
“You’re right,” he said, unhooking the cable. “Seems like your alternator. Sorry.”
She sighed. “It’s okay. Thanks for trying. So, can you recommend a garage? And a tow truck?”
He already had his phone out and a number dialed. “Yes,” he said, before his mechanic friend, Archie, answered. Jeremy explained the situation, and the guy told him he’d send the truck right out but wouldn’t get to work on it until tomorrow.
