Page 28 of Good Directions

“Let me drive you home.”

Please say yes…please say yes…

“And then how would my car get home?”

“Leave your keys with me. I’ll make sure it’s in the drive and waitin’ for you before you need to go help with pancakes.”

“How’d you⁠—”

She cuts herself off, and I give her a knowing look. Neither of us needs to say it out loud to know that the answer to how I know she’s been roped into helping with the pancake breakfast is Miss Belle.

“Right,” she continues. “Thank you, but I will drive myself.”

“You sure?”

Doubt flickers in her irises. For a second, I think I have a shot. But then she squares her shoulders and nods curtly.

“Absolutely. What girl wants to go for a ride with a guy who’s afraid of armadillos?”

She turns to go, walking off confidently, like she’s put me in my place. But I can’t let her get in the last word.

“Hey, Sawyer,” I call. She spins back around, my insides clenching as our eyes meet. “Some girls do.”