Page 40 of Playing for Keeps
“Yep, all good,” I reply quickly, praying she didn’t hear me. “Ready to hit the road?”She nods, and I take the dress bag from her while she locks up. I’m just loading her things into the trunk, at the front on this model, when she suddenly lets out a squeal.
“You brought the red one!”
I laugh as I glance over my shoulder. “You did say it was your favorite.”
Her grin is instant, but her attention quickly moves to the car. I swallow hard as I watch her take it in, her eyes lighting up. I never thought I could be jealous of a car, but as she slowly circles it, trailing her fingers along the glossy paintwork, I realize I absolutely am.
“It’s beautiful, Wyatt,” she says.
“It was my first big splurge after making it. I’d always dreamed of owning a Ferrari as a kid.”
She smiles. “So, it’s your favorite too?”
I nod, smiling back. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
Especially now I know she loves it.
“I thought you said on Wednesday your car was in the shop?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Okay, that was a small white lie. I didn’t want you to know I’d brought the Ferrari until today. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
She lets out a laugh. “Well, consider me surprised.”
“Want to take it for a spin?”
Her eyes go wide, jaw dropping. “Seriously?” she breathes.
I laugh. “Sure. I trust you.”
“Okay!” she says, practically bouncing. “My dad’s never going to believe this.”
“He into cars?”
She nods. “Big time. But I doubt he’s ever been near anything like this.”
“Is he home now?” I ask, an idea sparking.
She grins. “Should be. Why?”
I smile. “Why don’t you drive over and show him? We’ve got time.”
She bites her lower lip, and I have to resist the urge to reach out and gently pull it free.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Let’s go.”
I walk over to the driver’s side and open the door for her, watching as she slides into the seat.
“This is amazing,” she breathes, eyes wide as she takes in the interior.
I lean in, reaching across her to buckle her seatbelt before crouching down beside her. “You can use the paddle shifters to change gears,” I explain, pointing them out. “Or I can just set it to auto.”
She giggles, and something in my chest tightens. “Auto, definitely. I’m already nervous enough driving this thing. That’s one less thing to worry about.”
“Don’t be nervous. It’s just a car.”
She scoffs. “Yeah, a ridiculously expensive car.”
