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I finish packing, detour to breakfast to grab one of those miraculous bloody Marys to-go, then meet Dash in the foyer to say our goodbyes.
“I’ll see you back in the city,” Piper promises. “I want that makeover you promised.”
“Done,” I smile. “I’ll have you in bright red lipstick in no time, trust me.”
“Red?” Zelda repeats. “Isn’t that rather bold?”
“That’s the point,” Piper and I answer in unison—then laugh.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” I tell Zelda, and meaning it. Sure, she put me through the wringer, but I’ve grown to admire her grit—and singing voice. “I’ve had a great time.”
“It’s been lovely getting to know you,” Zelda says, surprising me with a kiss on the cheek. “I look forward to seeing a lot more of the two of you. Right Dash?”
“Sure thing.” He replies, looking a little uncomfortable, and he’s not the only one.
“Is it just me, or are you feeling kind of scuzzy, too?” I murmur, as we head down the steps to the rental car he’s booked for our road trip.
“No, I am,” he sighs, loading our bags in the trunk. “I wanted them to like you, I just didn’t expect them to like you this much.”
“What can I say?” I joke. “I’m irresistible.”
“Yes, you are.”
Dash gives me a smoldering look, then holds the car door open for me. It’s a classic Corvette, and I have to admit, I love sliding into the front seat like an old-school movie star.
“Wait,” I say, searching in my bag. I pull out my chunky sunglasses, and a silk scarf that I tie around my hair. “OK, now I’m good to go.”
He grins over at me from behind the wheel. “Anything else, m’lady?”
“I’ll let you know,” I sit back with a happy sigh. Two days of road-tripping with Dash, and no more having to lie to anyone?
Seems pretty perfect to me. As long as I can keep all those pesky feelings in check, that is. But the great thing about driving, is that feelings aren’t on the agenda: We spend the next five hours bickering over the music, eating road-side junk food, and talking about everything under the sun.
“… It can be a frat house sometimes, but we’re like brothers that way.”
Dash is telling me about his buddies and their bar. Bars, plural now.
“So if they do the business side, construction, booze… What do you bring to the mix?” I ask, curious.
Dash flashes me a grin. “My good looks and natural charm, obviously.”
I laugh. “Well, yes, but how does that build you a nightlife empire?”
“I don’t know,” Dash pauses, looking back at the road. “I guess I’ve always just had a feel for things. Promotional ideas, people to hire… I can just see the direction to go, you know?”
“Your instincts,” I nod.
“Or luck.” He shrugs. “Whatever you want to call it. My dad always said, it’s better to be lucky than smart.”
“What?” I protest. “But luck is out of your control. It could change at any minute!”
“Exactly. That’s why you have to be ready to seize the opportunity when it comes your way.” Dash gives me another smoldering look.
“Any opportunities on the horizon?” I ask, flirty.
“Only if I’m very, very lucky.”
“Well, we’ll have to see about that,” I reply, as if I’m not breathless just from that wicked look in his eyes.
