His mouth inches up on one side, and I notice his glasses have slid slightly down his nose. I reach up to fix them, and he leans in a little closer, making my breath hitch.
“I wouldn’t try smoking unidentified plants, as a rule,” he says.
I grin. “So noted. I’ll put them in some water. Seriously…thank you.”
I don’t want to say so, but no one’s ever given me flowers before. Even the shitty grocerystore kind.
“It’s nothing. They’re weeds, technically, but I like them better than cultivated flowers. They’re tougher. They remind me of you, actually.”
My breath catches.
No one’s ever said anything like that to me before.
And he’s looking at me with such intensity.
I feel like I’m in the woods again, lost and in danger, with only Cormac to anchor me.
I inhale deeply, trying to push the feeling away. “I can drive us. On Thursday, I mean. It’s the least I can do for forcing you into this.”
“Youdidforce me.” He smiles. “I’m not going to pretend otherwise, but I’d prefer to drive, if that’s okay.”
I push his chest slightly, but before I can pull away, he layers his hand over mine.
“You don't—” I swallow hard. Curl my fingers into his chest. “You don’t trust me to drive?”
“I’ve seen you whizzing around town in that little green Fiat, Nora. You drive like a bat out of hell.”
Surprised laughter trips out of me. “And I’ll bet you drive like an arthritic old man.”
“I thought we weren’t allowed to call people little or old.”
I shake my head, still smiling at him, and lower my hand. “All right. I’ll let you drive, but I reserve the right to sigh frequently and comment on your lack of speed.”
“I accept. We’ve reached an accord.” He holds his hand out, and I slide mine into it, trying to ignore the intense awareness that webs across my nerve endings.
“Why am I not surprised you have a powerful handshake?”
“So do you,” I say. “But maybe Iamsurprised.”
His lips hitch up. “Because I’m an arthritic old man?”
“Don’t talk about my secret fake boyfriend that way.”
It’s time to leave, but something holds me back. Thosebutterflies from earlier maybe. If I’m completely honest, they’re still there. He has a slight tan from being outside all day, and the hair on his forearms is golden against it. His hair is an unruly mess that I’d like to run my fingers through.
I clear my throat. “So will we be using the VW van? I think that would impress Pansy.”
He swallows a laugh and shakes his head. “No, I had to give that back. My trial for grand theft auto is next month, by the way. In case you’d like to attend.”
“Oh, I know all about it. I’m a star witness for the prosecution.”
“Goodbye, Nora.”
I’m smiling as I walk toward the car with my wildflowers.
Text conversationwith Pansy
That’s an interesting picture.
