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CHAPTER21
The delivery driver had parked right in his driveway. The hood of his beater car was open, and Calista was staring at his engine.
Ronan’s heart rate dropped back to a normal speed. “Problem?”
The delivery driver gave him a competitive look that had his shoulders tightening and his chin lifting. He read the guy loud and clear.
“I was just taking a peek.” Calista pulled her gaze from the vehicle and lowered the hood. “This is Brandon, we do the work on his car.”
“Hey,” Ronan said in greeting. He couldn’t help the dick note in his voice though that wasn’t his usual style. Guys normally liked him, he was cool with everyone.
Brandon gave him a brief nod and went around to his trunk. He popped the lock and withdrew their food from a heated insulated bag.
“Brandon delivers seafood to us on Saturdays.”
“I didn’t know the order was for you,” Brandon handed the bag off to Ronan without looking at him and spoke to Calista. “I’d have put in extra sourdough rolls.”
“Yum.” Calista smiled. “Next time. My parents will be back in two weeks. More rolls then, please.”
Brandon nodded. If Brandon recognized him as a Snowers’ player, it didn’t show. All his attention was on Calista. He held up two fingers. “See you in two weeks.”
Calista waved, and she headed back to the house.
Ronan stepped ahead and got the door. “What’s wrong with his engine?”
Calista wiggled her fingers. “We just did a belt change last time. That should have fixed the problem. We’ll try another.” She sounded intrigued. “Could be something more though.” Her interest was more about the mechanical problem than the dude.
Ronan found that oddly satisfying. “You’re into cars.” They went in, and he locked the door behind them.
“All mechanics. Dad’s the one fixated on autos specifically.” Calista grinned, and the flash of a dimple showed in her left cheek. “That’s how Mom got Dad to go on the long cruise they’re on. They’re doing a Ferrari stop in Italy. After Mom suggested that tour, Dad’s hemming and hawing about leaving for so long ended that night. They left a week ago.” She sounded forlorn.
“You live at home?”
Calista nodded. “Piper and I both do, but she’s been staying with Mikah.”
“You’re alone right now?”
“Temporarily.” She looked a touch lost.
Ronan wanted to dig deeper, but this wasn’t his business. “Keep that on the down low. Don’t let weirdos know.”
Calista tilted her head and assessed him. “You’re not a weirdo.”
Ronan placed the bag on the table and went for plates. “Not me. You can talk to me. Don’t tell that to delivery people. As it is, they’ll recognize your order is smaller than normal. Just saying be careful.” Together they emptied the bag on the dining table, washed their hands, and got the food sorted as if they’d performed the ritual many times over.
Ronan pulled her seat out and then took his own. “You don’t cook?”
“Nope.” Calista winced and pointed at the crab. “I don’t enjoy working with raw biological organisms. Too fragile, too gross. I do like eating cooked ones though.” She smiled happily, pried the leg off, cracked the shell, wiggled the white meat out, and poured melted butter over the top. “Mom sorts out meals for the family.”
“Nice.” Ronan nodded. “I want to marry a woman who cooks.”
“That’s no woman in my family.”
Ronan laughed, pleased Calista wasn’t offended that he’d just let her know she lacked a key trait he was looking for in a wife. They dug into their meals in a companiable manner, and then he had to ask. “What are you studying at Sage Hill? Have to admit, I’m curious about your class.”
“My degrees will be dual PhDs in mechanics and innovations.”
Ronan whistled. “Impressive.” He offered her the last sourdough roll. “These are good.”
