Page 12 of Hesi-Dating
"I couldn't ask that of you. I live forty-five minutes south of here. Might even take an hour if traffic is bad. That's too far for you to give me a ride. You can take me to the train station or something. I can get a ride back up here tomorrow to deal with the tire store."
"Why are you all the way up here to visit this library?"
My cheeks flushed hot. "They had a book I wanted. The libraries near me had a four week wait list."
"You couldn't wait for inter-library loan to get it to you? Or buy it online? What about an ebook?"
"It's a sequel. It costs a small fortune to buy it since it's only out in hardcover. The author left the last one on a cliffhanger. I need to know if the main characters get together in the end." I wished I could afford to buy the digital audio book. The hardcopy would take me a while to read, but my reading app could help me. The library didn't have the audio book yet.
"It's a romance?"
I couldn't tell if there'd been a tone when he said that. "You have a problem with that?"
He held up his hands. "No, ma'am."
Before I could point out he justma'am-ed me, again, he turned his back to speak on his phone while surveying the area.
As he ended the call I said, "I can't afford a tow."
He eyebrows pinched inward. "Ron owes me a favor. Don't worry about it. He'll be here in about a half hour. He'll give you a super deal on a tire if you need one. He's going to text when he's on the way here. We can wait in my truck if you want."
"Thanks." I didn't need a man to take over, but I knew it came from his desire to be helpful and protective.
"I'm glad you called." Seth pushed his hat back and grinned to the point a dimple popped out in his right cheek.
Oh, my.
Sitting for who knows how long with Seth who seemed convinced some group was going to attack us sounded like torture. "Can we grab some coffee or something somewhere nearby while we wait? You made me nervous about the area."
He leaned in close and whispered, "Are you scared twenty minutes alone with me in my truck might make you lose your clothes?"
"But not my heels?" I winked at him, enjoying his cheek flush. Got his imagination running, didn't I? My voice came out hoarse. "Five minutes alone and I guarantee at least one of use will be half naked." I walked around to the passenger side of his truck. I got in but didn't miss him smoothing over his shocked face.
Inside the truck we stared at each other.
"Figured you were a heels-stay-on kind of guy," I said.
He blinked at me. Then took off his hat to ruffle a hand through his hair.
Bet he didn't anticipate his day would end like this.
I let my gaze wander down his chest and wondered if he really looked as good in uniform as he his social posts made it seem.
He cleared his throat. "Coffee sounds smart."
ChapterFive
SETH
I lifted my hat to settle it back on my head, a nervous habit I should try to kick. I'd just had my hair cut yesterday so it fell more smoothly. By this point in the day my hair had melded into a permanent hat shape, which made the time I spent styling it this morning moot.
"Convenience store coffee?" Joley asked with more surprise than derision as she sat across from me in the yellow booth. We were the only ones eating in the small restaurant attached to the 7-Eleven.
"They have better coffee at a reasonable price than a coffee shop. Hold on, I'll get us some pastries to go with the coffee." I picked up two packages of donuts and paid at the counter. The purchase gave me time to collect my thoughts. I refused to make an ass of myself again like I did on our not-really-a-date when I could barely make conversation and couldn't stop staring at her. Then I'd ruined everything by jabbering on about my ex. I watched her in the mirror behind the counter.
She was checking out my ass.
I struggled not to smile when I turned.
