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He let out a short laugh. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. But is your car up to the job of getting you home safely?”
“Oh!”
He loved the way she said that so often. He hadn’t known that one small word could have so many meanings. “Yes, Becca. Oh!”
She laughed. “Nowyousound like the teacher.”
“Sorry. I’m not trying to be bossy. It’s just … I hate the idea of you driving any distance in that thing.”
“That thing?” Her indignant tone had him smiling even harder.
“Yes. Forgive me for pointing it out, but that little Ford of yours should have been put out to pasture years ago.”
“Hmph! That little Ford of mine is not athing.He’s a friend and a very good friend at that. His name is Fred.”
Jacob laughed. “Fred the Focus?” he asked incredulously.
“That’s right. Fred and I have been together for many years now. He might not be the best looking or the youngest, but he’s served me well. He keeps me warm, and keeps me safe, and takes me wherever I need to go.”
Jacob’s smile faded as he listened. He loved the laughter in her voice, but her words struck a serious note for him. “Well, Fred strikes me as being ready for retirement.” What the hell, he was going to say it. “And if you need a replacement, I know a guy who’d like to step into that role. Since you don’t seem to mind that he’s not the youngest and not the best-looking …” He let his words trail off. He should have stayed quiet. It was far too soon to even think, let alone to tell her that he'd like to be the one to keep her warm, and keep her safe, and take her wherever she wanted to go. What was wrong with him? He held his breath as he waited for her to say something. As the silence lengthened, he dreaded what that something might be.
His breath came out in a rush of relief when she spoke. “If you’re talking about the guy I think you are, then I’ll give you that he’s not the youngest. But I’d have to argue with you about the good-looking part.”
The stupid smile was back on his face. “You would?”
“Yes! Don’t make me say it out loud. You must know.”
He chuckled. “I’ve heard it said a time or two that he’s not too terrible to look at.”
She laughed. “I bet you’ve heard more than that.”
“I bet you have, too.”
Her laugh sounded different this time. “No. I’m just me.”
“You have to know that you’re beautiful, Becca.”
“Nah, I mean, I’m all right. I’m decent enough.”
“You’re gorgeous. I bet you have guys chasing you all the time.”
Her laugh was bitter now. “No one’s chased me in years. The last guy I was with ran away from me. So … shoot! I’m not ex-bashing or fishing for compliments. I was trying to be realistic. You might be older than me, but you’re definitely hotter.”
He had to laugh. “You think I’m hot?”
“Err, yeah. And don’t make out that you’re surprised.”
“I won’t if you don’t make out that you’re surprised that I thinkyou’rehot.”
“You do?” She sounded genuinely shocked.
“I do.”
“Wow!”
It was his turn to laugh. “That’s exactly what I thought the first time I saw you.”
“When Ava introduced us?”
