“They’re all reserved.”
“Why does everyone else’s reservation work, but mine doesn’t?”
“Ma’am, I don’t know what happened to your reservation, but it’s Christmastime, one of the busiest travel times of the year. We don’t have any cars left. There’s nothing I can do for you.”
I puff out a long, frustrated breath, looking over my shoulder at Park. He’s headed toward the elevator to the rental car parking garage.
“Okay, fine.” I scoop up my phone and my purse and scramble after him.
“Hey!” I sidle up next to him, trying not to appear too out of breath. I only ran twenty feet.
“Hey,” he says back. “I wondered where you went.”
“You did?” My face lights up, probably too much.
“I did.” He smiles, obviously noticing my excitement. He stops in front of the elevator. “Did you rent a car too?”
“Um…” I point behind me to the counter. “They lost my reservation.”
“Really?” He frowns. “Do you need a ride to Leavenworth?”
I love that he suggested it first, but I’m going to play hard to get because that makes everything more fun.
“No, I couldn’t impose on you like that. I’ll get an Uber or something.”
“Don’t get an Uber. We’re headed to the same place.”
My lips lift into a playful smile. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I barely know you. What if you’re some kind of psycho that drives me to an abandoned warehouse and kills me? I’ve watched enoughLaw & Order: SVUto know how these things go.”
He leans in, lowering his voice. “We’ve shared a lot in the last twenty-four hours. Things like underwearandsteamy kisses, so I’d say you know me pretty well.” His heated blue gaze slowly skims over my face, pausing at my lips before it snaps back to my eyes.
Oh, now he’s just teasing me.
I meet his flirtatiousness with a little of my own. “I may know what brand of briefs you wear and how you kiss, but you’re still a stranger.”
“Those are the only things that matter.”
I laugh. Why is this guy so fun to flirt with?
“But just to put your mind at ease,” he steps back from me, “we’re not strangers. I’m sure we know some of the same people in Leavenworth. Do you know Sally Farnsworth?”
My brows go up. “Mrs. Farnsworth, the home economics teacher at the junior high?”
“Yeah, that’s the one. She’s my mom’s best friend. My mom’s name is Mary Bradshaw. Maybe you know her too.”
“Never heard of her.” My expression feigns skepticism. “And just because my junior high home ec teacher is your mom’s best friend doesn’t mean I trust you. I’m sure somebody was best friends with Ted Bundy’s mom.”
His expression turns thoughtful. “Did Ted Bundy even have a mom?”
“Doubtful.” I shake my head.
“Well, I promise to be a complete gentleman the entire ride to Leavenworth.” He holds up his fingers, giving me the Scout’s honor sign.
“Oh, you promise?”
“That’s right. There’s noLaw & Order: SVUagenda here.”
“Well, if you promise, then I guess it would be okay to hitch a ride with you. I mean, that’s not the most reliable background check, but in this case, it worked.”
