“You two come right this way. Bradley, let’s get our friends something to drink,” Mr. Martin said. They spent their time looking at a few options, and Mr. Martin thoroughly answered all of her questions and the questions Jesse had too; things Lily-Grace hadn’t considered, like towing uphill and through the mountains. They were in a desert valley, after all. Even if he didn’t care for horses, Jesse knew a lot about transporting them.
After they looked at Martin Chevrolet’s entire stock of trucks and full-sized SUVs, and taken three test drives, she climbed back behind the wheel of the first Tahoe she’d taken for a spin and asked him to give her a few minutes to make her final decision. He told her to take all the time she needed.
Once they were alone, Jesse leaned his head down and looked through the open driver’s-side window. “What do you think?”
“Get in here with me.”
“Okay.”
She realized, as she watched him walk around the front of the car, the butterflies in her stomach she’d been battling all day. Asking questions about trailer packages for extended-cab pickups and gas mileage, Lily-Grace soaked in the way it felt to have Jesse hovering around her. Patiently waiting, actually caring what she wanted, and doing his best to be helpful. Just the thought of it made it seem like the bar had indeed taken up residence in hell, but it was such a simple thing she now saw she’d been missing. She’d thought she demanded the world from men she’d been with before. Still, it took something as boring as looking at the form and function of trucks to open her eyes to what she was missing on her list of desirable traits in a man.
Jesse opened the door and moved the seat all the way back before he even bothered to climb in.
“How does that feel?” She chuckled.
“You should see me trying to fly coach. This is paradise in comparison.”
“So you saying you’d ride shotgun with me, ‘cause I have to be honest ...” She hesitated for a second before she went on. She knew keeping what she was feeling to herself wouldn’t work. When she wanted something, she went for it. “I think I’m starting to like you.”
Jesse dropped his gaze to the center console and just one of his eyes twitched shut, like maybe she’d finally broken him and his nervous system needed time to reboot. Okay, maybe going for what she wanted worked for Lily-Grace. She should have known the straightforward approach, when it came to something less practical, like romantic feelings, might catch him off guard a little. She had to remind herself Jesse was still dealing with a lot of firsts. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”
“I think the feeling is mutual.”
“Really? ‘Cause I know I all but threatened your life not too long ago, but in a shocking turn of events, I like being around you.”
“That feeling is also mutual.”
“Okay, then.” Lily-Grace ran her fingers over the steering wheel, a small sense of hope blooming in her chest for the first time in months. Still, they needed more time together. She needed Jesse now, as he really was and not just her mind’s image of the sensitive boy from middle school and the man who needed condoms with a wide base. She turned in her seat to face him. “Since we know there are mutual feelings of like, what do I have to do to get you on a horse?”
“Build a time machine and go back to the day my dad’s horse bit the shit out of me.”
“Oh my God! Jesse, no!” She grabbed him by the bicep, wincing at the thought. “I know that hurt.”
“Yup. Demon steed had a taste for nine-year-old me, and I haven’t even attempted getting on a horse since.”
“What happens when you have to do fancy deals and shit and someone wants you to woo them, out on the old dusty trail?”
“That’s what Zach is for.”
“Amazing. I think if I have to learn how to swim, you should have to learn how to ride.”
“Nah. Swimming is a survival skill. If I fall into a pit of horses, I’m letting the light take me. It’s a wrap. So you want me to ride shotgun in this particular Tahoe?” He reached up and ran his fingers over the edge of the sunroof like he was itching to touch her, but decided the fine leather interior would have to do. Lily-Grace knew then she was in big trouble. Over the years she’d had some amazing, climbing-the-rafters sex, but there was something about sitting close to Jesse Pleasant. She felt calm and safe and giddy all at the same time. She’d have to make out with him again, and soon, but she enjoyed just being around him.
She looked back at the steering wheel and thought about what would come next, where she saw herself. All the things she refused to go back to. Still no plan, beyond the plan to move on. “Yeah, I think I could see myself in this particular Tahoe. I like the color.”
“What did he call it? Midnight blue. It’s a nice color. Plenty of room for all of your Baby Yoda-related merchandise.”
“Don’t act like you didn’t like my onesie. Okay. This is it. My new car.”
“Sure you don’t want me to buy it for you?” Jesse teased as he opened the passenger door.
“How would you explain that to the ranch accountant?”
“Oh, you think I don’t have my own money. I have a money bin no one knows about, up the Central Coast.”
“I bet you do.” She hopped out and came around to his side of the car. Nerves suddenly jumping in her stomach, she took his hand and tugged him back toward Mr. Martin’s office. “Come on, money bags. I gotta sign some paperwork.”
It took a bit longer than she appreciated because Mr. Martin thought she was joking when she said she was paying cash. But after she explained that she was Internet rich, Jesse corroborated her claims and Mr. Martin had a quick chat with his money guys, they finally got the ball properly rolling. She’d been enjoying being back in Charming, but she knew it would only be a matter of time before some man reminded her he belonged in a trash bin. She almost wished she’d taken her business elsewhere. When he finally handed over the keys, after they had her new baby scrubbed down and prepped, Lily-Grace knew she wouldn’t be a two-peat customer of George Martin Chevrolet.
