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All my consternation fades as fast as it rose with his question.
“No, Cole. Of course not. We’re friends. Even if you are trying to make me a more responsible driver.”
That earns me a lip twitch, almost a real smile. “I’m not normally the responsible one.”
“Never hurts to try new things.” I slide my key into the door and try not to let on how much muscle I have to put into turning it to unlock the car.
“If you give me your number, I can pass it on to my friend.”
“You don’t have my number?”How have I not give it to him yet?
Cole shakes his head. I hold out my hand for his phone. I’m a little surprised when he puts one of the older, pay-by-the-minute devices in my hand.
“Can you text on this or calls only.”
“It gets texts, but you can call me whenever.”
“About car stuff.”
Cole shrugs. “Sure.”
Thatsureholds more meaning than the tiny word normally does, but I let it pass, working on typing in my information. When I’m listed in his contacts, I call myself, waiting for the vibration in my back pocket.
Instead of hanging up, I pull out my smartphone and answer. “Hi Summer! It’s me, Summer.”
Cole rolls his eyes, but his lips curl at the corners. With a grin, I hang both up and return his. I expect Cole to return to the curb. Instead, he moves in close, reaching for the rusty handle of the door. With a decisive tug, he wrenches the thing open, the gesture very chivalrous as he bows me inside. Once I’m settled in the driver’s seat, he pushes the door closed, gentle enough to make sure nothing of mine gets caught, but firm enough to get the ancient latch to catch.
The window lets out a god-awful screech as I use the manual crank to roll it down.
Resting his arms on the sill, Cole’s face is level with mine.
“Go ahead,” he murmurs, causing shivers to scatter over my skin.
“Go ahead and do what?” Because with his face this close to mine, there’s one specific action that’s taken up residence in my mind. That can’t be what he’s asking for, can it?
He doesn’t expect me to…kiss him, does he?
“Start the engine. Prove to me this thing can run.”
My breathlessness flees as I growl at him. “You want proof? Here it is, ass face.”
To emphasize my not-at-all witty insult, I turn the key in the ignition, praying all the while.
Click. Click. Chug. Chug.
Nothing.
Cole rubs his hand over his mouth, hiding a smile that has no trouble creasing his eyes.
“Shut up,” I mutter, even though he didn’t say anything. The second time I turn the key, the same pathetic noises sound, but then there’s that beautiful hop and catch.
“Ha! Told you.” I smirk at Cole just as he grimaces toward the hood. My bet is he was hoping the car would give up so I wouldn’t be driving around in it.
Too bad, buddy. I take what I can get, and this car is all I got.
“Fine. But I’m still calling my friend.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow?” Sunday afternoon means Cole’s book fortress needs to be constructed.
