“Never underestimate quiet people. We’re the ones to fear.”
“Quiet?” He snorted.
We were back at my car too quickly. I felt a welling of sadness mixed with that fuzzy post-adrenaline feeling of exhaustion, but too wired to rest filled me. Neither of us slept much last night due to all the naughty noodling. Any rush I got from being locked up had long crashed. Also, Owen had done all that running to save me.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked once he parked next to my car.
“Nothing.”
“Huh. The tram must still be frozen. There are no cars here.”
“Yeah,” I said.
“We can still get you up there.” Owen turned toward me and grabbed my hands. “Let me make this happen for you. I still want to help you make your dreams come true.”
“I think you did, Owen,” I said, holding his gaze, feeling my throat lock up. I wanted to confess something to him, something I’d been thinking since last night, but what would happen next? I was still so scared to be forgotten, or maybe if I came on too strong, he’d get freaked out and run. I just didn’t know how to function normally around people.
Instead, I swallowed my confession and added, “I spent the day in jail. Old Bee would never!” I risked a glance up to Owen with a forced laugh. He watched me carefully.
“What about the journalist?” he asked. “The statue?”
At the thought of Jane Smith, my heart clenched in pain. I had wanted to make things better for her. I wanted to guarantee a spot in history, but that wasn’t something I had any control over.
“They had to head back. They couldn’t get back up the mountain and had to go home.” I saw the text when I had reception and before my phone died. “But it’s okay. Honestly. The shine of the idea has sort of worn off.”
“This sucks,” he said.
“I’m a new me. Trust me, I’m changed.” I kissed his knuckles. “It wasn’t about notoriety. I mean, it was, but maybe I just needed to prove I could do something different. I think I understand that now.” I looked out the window for a long, dramatic beat. “My time in jail put things in perspective for me.”
He chuckled.
“Honestly, Owen. I’m basically a felon?—”
“Technically, you were only being held?—”
“But the point is, I am so cool now. Major street cred.” I lifted my chin. “I just hope you’re not embarrassed to be seen with such a troubled young woman.”
His eyes bounced with light as he held mine. “I guess we will have to see how it goes. On our next date? A real date.”
“A real date?” I smiled with my whole body. I could float in the air.
“Maybe we could find an old elevator to get trapped in?” he suggested with a grin.
“Maybe we could go explore some strictly off-limit caves with very small openings?” I added,
“Or we could do that workout class you’re so eager to try.”
I shuddered. “Okay, too far.” He put the car in park but left the heat running as he turned to me with another smile that I snatched up and stored away. I turned to him, pulling up my left leg to tuck under my chin. It slipped back down because of this stupid snowsuit, so I settled with leaning against the headrest. “I look forward to hearing what you come up with,” I said.
He had to want to go home and rest and change after the last twenty-four hours. I couldn’t wait to set this outfit on fire. But so long as he sat here looking at me like that, the windows slowly fogging, I wasn’t about to send him on his way.
He prodded for more information about Benny Jr. and hinted at maybe going back to school. (Thanks to my suggestion, no doubt.) I asked him more about Ivy and the home and things we might be able to do to help make it better around there. We shared stories about New Year’s gone by. We talked about lonely nights and cold beds.
He said s’mores Pop-Tarts were the best flavor, and I ignored his absurd joke.
We just talked. Even after all the talking last night, I couldn’t get enough of him. I didn’t want to let him go. My heart ached with desperation to keep him near.
But it was too soon, and I was too much. I had to let him breathe.
