Lee threw back his head and laughed. “I don’t make tons of money. I probably never will. But I’m lucky that my dad wanted me to be a doctor so badly that he paid for medical school, so I don’t have student-loan debt.”
Wren bit her lip. She felt like she’d crossed a line. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
He just shook his head at her. “Don’t worry about it. I’m an eBay junkie. I collect things, but I sell things, too. I had a Captain Marvel Special Edition that I sold for $27,000 last year.”
“What?” she gasped. She’d noticed his spare room was full of comic books, but she had no idea what they might be worth.
“My mom bought a lot of vintage comics for me when I was little. She made me promise not to sell them until I turned thirty. I listened,” he said, his eyes warm.
“That’s… incredible.” She was beginning to feel a little dizzy. What was he doing with her?
“Um, almost as incredible as your ‘68 Mustang. How did you get that?” The look of awe in his eyes was hard to miss. Again, she felt her nerves settle.
“It was Papaw Dale’s. I’ve had it since he died.”
“Well, it’s a beautiful car,” he said, practically breathless. Then he frowned. ”But I’m guessing you have to make a lot of repairs.”
Wren nodded. “Yeah, but I have a customer who’s a mechanic. I ink him for free, and he only charges me for parts.”
“Sweet deal,” Lee said, nodding. He watched her for a minute, seeming to weigh his words. “Would you… could I… could I drive it one day?”
It was her turn to laugh. “If you want to.”
“Are you k-kidding?” he stammered, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her waist. “That would — Yes!”
Again, she laughed. “Okay. Sure. Whenever you want.”
His eyes lit up. “Whenever? Like tomorrow night?”
He wanted to see her tomorrow night? Or he wanted to drive the Mustang tomorrow night?
Lee seemed to read her mind. “You do realize that if you say yes, I’ll get to see you two days in a row, right? The Mustang’s just a bonus.” He tightened his arms around her. “I work a twelve-hour shift starting at six in the morning. Do you work late?”
Wren shook her head. “I don’t work at all.”
Delight overtook his face. “You don’t?”
“Nope. Thursdays through Sundays, noon to ten.” But then disappointment hit her. “Oh, but I’m having dinner at Mamaw Gigi’s tomorrow.”
Lee’s brows drew together, and she knew that she wasn’t the only one disappointed. He gave her the same hesitant look he had a moment before.
“Well… can I come with you?”
Wren felt her heart contract. “You want to come to dinner with me at my grandmother’s?”
Hope filled his eyes. “Yeah, why not?”
Why not?She couldn’t help it. Her lip trembled. And tears filled her eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“WREN, BABY, WHYare you crying?” Lee asked, so confused. She had agreed to come home with him, and she seemed to love his house. Having her in his home feltright. What had he done wrong?
She pulled out of his arms and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry." She sniffled and shook her head. “I’m just being stupid.”
Lee frowned. “Um, no,” he said, moving in and settling his hands at her waist. “I don’t know why you’re upset, but that’s not it. You don’t do stupid.” Lee pulled her close again and reached up to catch a tear that slid down her cheek. Even crying, she was fairy-tale beautiful. “Smart? Yes. Sassy? Yes. Sexy? Most definitely, but not stupid.”
This earned him a watery smile and a hiccup. “You don’t understand.”
