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“Hey, Malcolm.” I collect my paperwork and keys from Windfall’s best mechanic. “I assume Naomi’s insurance covered everything?”
His left cheek twitches. He opens his mouth and closes it, then he says, “Yep.”
Okay, then. I gesture to her damaged Mazda. “Is there still an issue with her car?”
He wipes his hands on his coveralls. “Nope.”
“So, you’re…what? Having parts issues?”
He scratches his nose. “Sure.”
Malcolm is a tall Black man with a heart of gold. He’s straightforward when discussing cars and never fails to regale me with tales of his latest poker games and his grandson’s baseball wins. This level of one-word evasiveness is odd, but it’s not my car or my business. Naomi’s insurance covered my damage. It will cover hers, although she’ll have to pay a deductible and might have higher premiums going forward. Hopefully the payments aren’t too tough to manage.
I walk outside to the parking lot and spot my car. I also spot Naomi, getting out of what I believe is Delilah’s car.
She sees me and falters but quickly plasters on a smile and saunters over. “It’s weird seeing you somewhere that doesn’t smell like coffee.”
It’s still weird talking to Naomi without planning ways to sabotage her serenity. “I find inhaling gasoline gives me the same jolt.” I don’t make a crack about her driving and why I’m here. Last time I did that, she got quiet and froze me out. “Seems like they’re having an issue with your car.”
She glances past me, to where her crunched car sits. “Is that what Malcolm said?”
She sounds nervous, and I don’t know why. She’s not the one who had her most embarrassing moments shared without consent. “Malcolm didn’t say much of anything.”
“Oh, okay.” She touches her hoop earring and rocks on her heels. When she looks back at me, the kindness in her gaze has warmth spreading through my chest. “I know you’re embarrassed by your grandmother, but she’s a hoot.”
Mortifying stories and all, I wouldn’t trade Gran for anything. “Can’t say I’m thrilled she gave you that kind of ammunition against me, but I’m glad you met her.”
Naomi wraps her arms around her waist. “Why would you be glad?”
I’m not entirely sure. Or maybe I am. I’m not ready to admit defeat where Naomi is concerned. I think about our complicated history daily, as well as our more recent banter. My attraction to her is as intense as ever. Even now, I want to press my face into her neck, inhale her coconut scent, drag my hands down her ribs and over her full hips. Find out which places make her shake with pleasure.
I want more from Naomi, physically and emotionally, and getting there begins by sharing pieces of ourselves.
“Gran knows everyone important in my life,” I say, focusing on the good history and banter part of our relationship. “I don’t know what you are in my life, Naomi, but you feel important.”
Her eyes soften as she bites her lip. “You can’t say things like that, Avett.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not fair.”
And she’s not making sense. Although Naomi turned me down, I’m starting to think Delilah was right. Naomi flirts with me. She maybe even likes me, but she’s keeping me at a distance. “The reason you won’t go out with me—is it our history? You can’t separate me from how awful I accidentally made you feel? And what you overheard at that party?”
Her next swallow is achingly slow. “It’s complicated.”
“Last year, I decided to learn chess and now only lose half the time to my mother. I’m pretty good at understanding complicated things.”
I’m surprised by the longing in her gaze, how my heart speeds in reply. “Why do you have to be soyou?” she says softly.
“Is being me bad?”
She glances again toward her car, closes her eyes briefly, then faces me. “I’m going away, Avett.”
“On a vacation?”
“Leaving Windfall. Going traveling for at least a year.”
“Wow.” I jolt, physically and mentally.
