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“I see that.” Straightening up, I try and extricate myself from his hold, but one arm refuses to let go and keeps a steady grip around my back, fingers firm against my right hip.
He holds me up the whole way to the car, even though I am so ridiculously short he has to stoop to achieve his objective. Once by the shiny silver truck, he wrenches on the door and a downscaled avalanche of snow slides off the roof and crashes to the floor by our feet.
“This is crazy,” I observe, as he takes me by surprise and hoists me into the seat, proceeding to buckle me in like a small child.
“Amber French.” His eyes meet mine and the blue pulls me under as I study them for flecks and contrasts. His head is bent so close to mine I could just lean in and kiss his generously curved lips. “You don’t have a problem with crazy, do you?” His voice is low, but his eyes are dancing.
I glance at my mum’s mustard dressing gown ensconced figure peering out from the front door. Nope. Crazy isn’t something I have a problem with.
“Crazy is okay.” The close proximity Freddy Bale currently has with me transforms my words into a strangled squeal.
“Good.” The door slams shut, and I sit for one moment waiting for him to climb in the other side. What am I doing? Why is this happening? Is there even the slightest chance he’s going to kiss me? In which case I wish I’d brushed my teeth for longer.
Once he’s in place beside me, his eyes flick along my chunky knitwear clad body. I’m sure his lips twitch a little and I’m about to demand what’s so funny when he speaks first. “So my first question, Amber French, is. . .”
I don’t give him time to finish “Questions? It’s eight thirty, it’s way too early for questions.”
Freddy laughs, blasting a huge loud snort of laughter in the limited confines of the truck cab. It makes me jump. His fingers drum on the steering wheel. “Well, I need answers before this day progresses any further.” His forehead creases into what I guess is supposed to look like a serious expression, but really just looks at gorgeous as all hell.
He offers me a slow smile, shooting me into the stratosphere of distraction. “Firstly, are you opposed to bunking off? Secondly, would you like to do something with me today? And thirdly, do you have a boyfriend? Because I’m really hoping not, but if you do, you’ll need to tell him you’re mine for the day.”
My lower jaw falls open and I undoubtedly have a horrific double chin as I try to process his barrage of questions. No, I can’t. “You what?”
Freddy’s smile expands, a slow sexy lip hitch that tugs the left side of his beautiful mouth up and his eyes shine. He shifts a little in his seat so he can maintain eye contact as he holds a finger up. “One, would you like to bunk off school today?” He holds up a second finger. “Two, would you like to do something with me? And three.” He holds the third finger like a salute. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
And so I say, well I don’t say anything. I just make a ‘Bleugh’ noise which makes him chuckle again.
“I’m assuming that means a yes, yes, and a no.” He winks and presses a button on the dash that fires the engine into a steady hum.
“Haven’t you got work?” Oh, so I can talk after all.
“I worked Sunday. I’m taking today off.” Freddy studies the rear-view mirror as he guides the truck off the driveway.
“Why?”
“It’s not every day a beautiful girl walks into your workshop dressed in her finest, looking for help. I’m taking it as a sign I need a day off, and that day should be spent with you.”
Grinning, I shake my head. Honestly, I can’t believe this is happening, but as Freddy confidently manoeuvres the car onto the slushy road, it starts to sink in. This really is happening. Something totally out of the ordinary is happening to little old ordinary me. A grin smears its way across my face, and I sneak a peek up at Freddy to find his lips are curved into a smile as he glances down at me.
“Watch the road!”
“I am watching the road.” He laughs and pats his hand on my knee. “I am watching the road, and I’m watching you. It’s one of my many talents.”
“Yeah, what other talents do you have?”
“Loads. Do you wanna see them?”
Turning my face to look out the window, I try and hide my super-sized grin. “Maybe.”
He laughs again. “I can work with maybe.”
