Page 8 of A Swan’s Love Song

lifting his eyebrows. “Since you’re headed in direction.”

Sean’s throat threatened to close up and he wasn’t sure, but he might’ve stopped breathing.

Abandoning all attempts at speech, he nodded instead.

Avi smiled and jerked his head to the passenger side of the massive truck. “Come on then.”

Sean checked for cars, then scurried around the back bumper before Avi could change his mind.

When he got to the other side, he saw that Avi had already leaned across the console and pushed the

door open for him. The truck sat on oversized tires and since Sean wasn’t taller than five foot four, he

had some serious hoisting to do.

“Would you like some help?”

“Umm… Maybe?”

Add too wimpy to all the other attributes that would make me a dud as a mate.

Avi placed the truck in park then hopped out. The next thing Sean was aware of was the feel of

Avi’s strong grip on his waist. The zing whenever they touched couldn’t be denied.

At least not to me.

“Grab the door handle and I’ll give you a boost.”

“Sure.”

Air rushed from his lungs at how effortlessly Avi lifted him into the truck. He’d barely had to

do anything other than give himself a little push on the runner with one foot. Sean held his breath until

Avi had made his way back around then climbed back into the truck.

“Seatbelt?” Avi arched his eyebrows.

Sean’s hands shook as he grabbed the strap to bring it across his middle. “Of course. Um, thank

you for stopping.” He tried not to cringe at his less than scintillating conversation.

Avi gave him a quick nod and smile, then clicked his own seatbelt into place. After they got

back on the road, silence filled the cab. Sean picked at his jeans and chewed on his lip while Avi

stared straight ahead, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

Avi coughed and shifted in his seat. “So… where am I dropping you off?”

Sean hung his head. Can’t wait to get rid of me.

“Shark Bait Thrift Shop.”

“Oh? That’s funny.” Avi grinned. “I’ve been meaning to stop in there myself. I hear they carry a

lot of musical instruments along with other interesting items. I love music.”