Page 19 of Fall Love

“Go find out.” Landon laughed, shoving on my shoulder. “I double-dog dare you, you puppy sap.”

I snorted, but a ripple came over my skin again. A whisper to do as Landon suggested. Be daring.

“Hold my beer.” I handed him the empty bottle and rushed after her.

CHAPTER 8

[Neve]

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Nine months ago

“Hey.” Feet crunched over the snowy pavement covered with coarse sand, an all-natural alternative to salt. “Hey, Rosie. Wait.”

I smiled as I slowed my pace and spun to face him.

Driver. Goodness, he was handsome. Like he defined the term. A little too pretty and polished, contrasting with the racecar driver getup, which made him all the more intriguing. I really wanted to follow through on all the flirtatious foreplay, but I had somewhere I had to be. A promise to myself.

“Where are you going?” His breath came out in a foggy mist. The winter air was brutal around the holidays.

Neither of us wore a winter coat. Me, because I thought I’d make a quick dash from truck to house and back. Him because he’d clearly chased me.

The thought was a refreshing one. Not that I haven’t had equal parts cat-and-mouse with one-night stands and short-term situations in the past, but I hadn’t had someone outright run after me in a long, long time. If ever.

“I . . .” I wanted to tell him, but I didn’t think he’d understand. “I just have somewhere to be.”

“Got a boyfriend?” His brows creased, puzzled by the thought, because we’d been flirty with each other for over two hours.

“No.” I chuckled, feeling the cold rustle over me.

“A husband?” His eyes widen, almost comical and cartoonish. He had striking eyes, mesmerizing ones. Brown in color, but that hardly did them credit. They were rich, soulful, almost peaceful to look at. Calming, which was silly to consider.

“No.” I laughed harder, the winter air blanketing my cheeks and fingers, even though they were tucked in my mechanic’s bib pockets. I shifted side to side in an attempt to stay warm.

I love a good costume party and couldn’t pass up the opportunity when Fisk invited me. I recently did some engine work on a boat for him, and we were friendly business acquaintances. Fisk is sweet, if a bit rough around the edges. He looks almost grizzly with a full beard and wild hair, but he’s more like a teddy bear when you know him like I do.

Plus, it’s New Year’s Eve, and I could not be a sad sap and sit home alone.

As far as a costume party went, I dressed how I dress most days, minus the grease and sweat.

“Got kids or something? An ailing parent?” He waved toward me, grappling at reasons for my hasty exit from a New Year’s Eve party before midnight.

The last suggestion hit hard. My dad had been gone for five years, but it never got easier. He never ailed. Just passed from a sudden heart attack. Unlike Mom, there was no time to prepare. He was just here and gone. Poof!

His loss lingered long after his passing, and it was part of the reason I needed to leave the party early.

Driver’s face softened. The divot between his brows was more concern than scowl. “And it’s none of my business.” He pursed his lips and moved them side to side, holding back further inquisition.

“None of those things either.” An uncontrollable shiver rippled up my spine from a rush of air that came out of nowhere and quickly passed.

He tipped his chin toward the line of cars parked near Fisk’s place. “Let me walk you to your car. It’s freezing out here.”

I hesitated, thoughts racing. What I needed to do wouldn’t take long. Just a few minutes, tops. Still, I wanted to be there instead of here at midnight.

Miss Charma said wishes worked best when moving from one portal to another. Midnight marked crossing over to a new day. And in this case, an added bonus was the beginning of a new calendar year.

She was so hocus pocus, but I was desperate. I’d do anything if it worked to give me what I wanted.