“For now.”The grin widened, pure mischief.
Cryptic.Great.Just what my day needed.
“Welcome home,” he said.“Now that we’ve been properly introduced, how about that ride?”
This time when he offered, I took it.I did not want to arrive at Alice’s house looking like I’d crawled out of a sauna.
“That would be great,” I admitted.
Mac opened the passenger door for me like some old-fashioned gentleman.Once I was in and buckled up, he slid behind the wheel, rolled up the window, and cranked the AC.Blissful cold air washed over my face.
“Thanks,” I said, trying not to sound as dazed as I felt.Get a grip.He’s just a guy with climate control.
“Don’t mention it.”He pulled back onto the road.“Where you headed?”
“My aunt’s house,” I said.“But if you’re going into town, you can drop me there.No need to go out of your way.”
He shot me a sidelong grin.The cologne—some warm, spicy thing—coiled through the cab and took up residence in my nervous system.
“Hey, no problem,” he said.“I can drive there.Snapdragon Drive, right?”
“You know it?”
“I sure do.Be glad to take you there.”
Of course he did.Everyone knew where everyone lived in this town.
He cut me a curious glance.“You were going to walk all that way?”
“Well,” I started, “I’m not exactly the favorite one at the moment, so yes.”
“Hmm,” was all he said.
I realized I was still worrying the keyring, spinning it around my finger like a nervous tell.“I know you from somewhere,” I said.“Were you at the funeral?”
“I was.”
“Where do I know you from?”
“We both grew up here.”
Non-answer.Irritation pricked.
“Did we go to school together?”
I studied him while he watched the road—straight nose, strong jaw, a face teenage girls used to drool over.I tried to sneak a look at his left hand.No ring, but that didn’t mean much.Guys could be commitment-phobic and still have girlfriends.Plural.
Not that I was in the market for one.Not after Preston the Human Dumpster Fire.
“Did anyone tell you staring is rude?”Mac asked, laughter threading through his voice.
I snapped my gaze forward.“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.Really.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Nope, I didn’t.”
