“I mean, yeah, I don’t want to ruin your security deposit, but if I have to,” he says, smiling in a smug way that makes my heart start racing.

I change quickly into my suit and throw a sundress over it. He’s still leaning against his truck when I come out of the room. His eyes don’t leave me as I walk over to him.

He suggests I ride with him in his truck. You know, whatever, let’s just get on with this. He opens my door, and puts out his hand to help me up to my seat. Against my better judgment, I take it. A wave of electricity passes from his hand through my body. I knew it would, and it pisses me off.

“Passenger side always picks the music,” he says as he climbs in.

“I need something to energize me. Like some kind of old rock.”

“Excellent choice.” He clicks a few buttons until a classic rock station comes up.

‘Layla’ comes pouring out of the speakers. I flip my head around and look at him accusingly.

“Oh, c’mon, you planned that.”

He laughs. “You know, I actually didn’t, but the universe is clearly on my side. Do you want me to change it?”

“No, it’s fine. Let it play. I really do like this song.”

I lay my head back on the seat and close my eyes. I can see my dad and feel him all around me, and for the first time since he died, it doesn’t feel like a knife is stabbing me directly in the heart.