Page 94 of Prove You Wrong

Nate.

‘Hi,’ I chirp, ‘I was about to call you!’

‘Missed me, huh?’ I can visualise his wry grin as he says this.

‘Of course … And I have news.’ I pause for effect before announcing, ‘Pretty sure I’ve fixed Helena!’

‘Amazing! I was calling to take you to lunch, so now we have something to celebrate.’

‘I’ll come and pick you up. You can help me test drive her first, if you’ve got time?’

‘I’m all yours until five.’

Nate sends me his address and, after I get changed and cleaned up, I tentatively head over, eyes flicking to check for warning lights at every junction.

Nate’s already bounding out of the door as I’m halfway up the path.

‘Whoop, ol’ Rusty lives to drive another day.’ He catches up with me, kissing me swiftly.

‘I told you. She’s got plenty of life in her.’ I pretend to bat his arm in consternation.

‘So, you don’t need me to give Chloe a lift anymore?’

‘Not now Helena’s fixed, thanks.’ I raise my heels and reach up for another quick kiss, pulling on his shirt to get closer. ‘And anyway, I think making her get the bus is doing her good.’ I turn and lead him back to my car.

His hand slots into mine and squeezes. ‘That’s a shame.’

‘You almost sound disappointed.’ I chuckle, twisting to face him as we reach the car.

‘Well, it was a boyfriendly thing to do.’ He raises an eyebrow, a smile tweaking at the corner of his mouth.

‘Boyfriend?’ I can’t stop the curve to my lips, or the hope in my voice.

He steps closer. ‘Imighthave heard you talking the other night. I thought it had a good ring to it.’

Nate runs his nose along my jaw as I say, ‘Well, I can think of plenty of otherboyfriendlythings you couldbe doing.’

With a growl, he cages me against the car. I’m trapped between the hard door and the steel planes of his body, and I love it. Woody notes of cedar from his skin invade my senses. He kisses me deeply before murmuring, ‘I’ve got a good idea.’

My, ‘What’s that,’ is breathless.

He tugs on my bottom lip as he ends the kiss. Then he pulls away and that dimple is out in full force. 'Let's give Helena a good run.’ His voice switches from gravelly smoke to perky in an instant, his golden retriever energy cranked to the max. ‘Give her an afternoon out.’ He shines his smile on me. I’m sure he knowsfull well he turned me to mush moments before. ‘We should make the most of your day off.’

I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. ‘The beach? It’s about an hour away.’

‘Areyougoing to be there?’ He dips his head to me, running his nose up my neck.

‘Of course,’ I reply shakily.

He kisses my ear as he mumbles, ‘Then I think it sounds fucking perfect.’

***

‘I had an idea while I was tinkering earlier,’ I say as we pull onto the motorway.

My thoughts about an evening class burble out of me and Nate listens as I drive and chatter.

‘I’ve got to research what qualifications I’d need first, but this is the first time I’ve been excited about work in a long time.’

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