“Once,” I whisper. “I was with my dad, and I got really hurt.”
“Hmm.” The hand on my thigh gives me a gentle squeeze, and all of my awareness zooms in on the sensation. “No wonder you got so shaken up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Do you think you’ll be okay if I keep driving?”
“Yes. I’m okay.”
He nods, and his gaze drops to my lips for just a second before he lets go of my hand. “Good.”
While he walks around the car to get back into his seat, I fold my coat across my lap. The place on my thigh where he had his palm simmers with residual heat.
I swallow. Great. Add a panic attack to the list of awkward moments with my new neighbor.
“We’re almost home,” he says as we start driving again. “I’ll go even slower. Is there someone at home who can keep an eye on you? I haven’t seen anyone else coming or going.”
“No, there’s no one else.” I bite down on the corner of my mouth. “It used to be my mom and I, but she died earlier this year. If she were still around, I know exactly how the rest of my evening would go.”
“Oh yeah?”
“She’d give me a big hug when I told her what happened and then insist we sit down for a cup of tea. It was our ritual. A cup of tea, every morning and every evening.” I still haven’t broken the habit of always making her a mug. God, I miss her so much.
He adjusts his grip on the wheel. “I’m sorry. What about your dad?”
“He died years ago. He was rarely around anyway.” And he had a habit of showing up at the worst times with empty promises, stolen money, and little else. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be all right.”
His jaw firms, but he keeps his eyes on the road and gives me a small nod.
The car grows quiet, the noise outside muffled by the falling snow. All I can hear is my thundering heartbeat, and I’m worried Rowan can hear it too.
Snark and banter I can handle, but him comforting me? It’s throwing me for a loop.
What did you think he was going to do? Toss you out of the car?
No, of course not. He did what any decent person would do.
So now he’s decent?
I fold my lips over my teeth. This is confusing. I thought I had a solid read on Rowan, but now I’m questioning myself.
Is there more to him than meets the eye?
I shoot him a discreet glance. He’s focused on the road and seems oblivious to the fact that my heart is still pounding.
And not just because of the near accident.
I wasn’t totally repulsed by Rowan’s touch. I should have been. But I felt…a lot of things, and disgust wasn’t one of them. I’m not sure how to process that fact.
I put my coat back on and zip it all the way up. He glances at me but doesn’t say anything.
As promised, we move slowly through the blizzard. After what feels like an eternity, Rowan finally pulls into my driveway.
I clear my throat and try to pretend like my perception of him didn’t just tilt on its axis. “Thanks for everything.”
“You sure you’ll be okay on your own? I can stick around for a bit.”
“I’m sure.” I need to get out of this car and collect myself. “I owe you for the drive and for getting me home safe. Would have sucked to die on my birthday.”
