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Maddie shifted her attention between us. “Tell you what, those drinks are on the house if you agree to come back and give me the whole story another time.”
I laughed. “We can do that.”
“Except we live two hours from here,” Rachel added.
Maddie’s eyes widened again. “You drove two hours for that party last night? Oh yeah, I gotta hear this story.” She grabbed a napkin and pen before shoving it toward us. “Write down your names and a number. I’ll text you, and we’ll make plans to get together.”
Not waiting for an answer, she moved slightly down the counter. “Good morning. What can I get you?”
Rachel looked at me before shrugging and writing both of our names and her number on the napkin. With a wave, we carried our coffees out to the SUV and got in.
I’d just started it up when Rachel took a sip of her coffee. “That’s the best mocha latte I’ve ever had.”
I took a sip and sighed, leaning my head against the headrest. “You’re right.”
She looked out the window. “This is a cute little town.”
I took the opportunity to look down the street, taking notice of the small businesses. People milled in and out of shops, some on their phones, but most chatting with the people walking with them.
Smiling, I took another sip of my coffee. “It is.”
“What’s it called again?”
I thought back to the name Tank had given me months ago and smiled, still not sure why the name felt so right to me. “New Hope.”
I’d just put the SUV in drive and looked over my shoulder to merge back onto the main road when Rachel spoke again. “Seems fitting, doesn’t it?”
I couldn’t have agreed more.
8
TANK
I slammedthe hood of the car I just finished working on and grabbed the red rag from my back pocket. Wiping the grease from my hands, I made my way over to the work table along the front wall and tossed the rag down before picking up my phone.
Me: Morning
I was surprised when I saw that Jane had finally texted me back. I’d sent that text early this morning, and it was almost three in the afternoon.
Jane: Hi.
Tapping the phone against the palm of my hand, I considered what I was doing. It was Wednesday, and I hadn’t seen or spoken to Jane since Sunday morning, but it wasn’t the first time I caught myself thinking about her.
Exhaling loudly, I lifted the phone and began typing.
Me: What have you been up to this week
I only waited a few seconds before I saw the bubbles form.
Jane: I volunteered at the hospital every day this week. I just got home because I stayed a little longer today.
Me: Have you thought about what you want to do this weekend
I knew asking her that was a big leap, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see her, and even more, I wanted to help her break free of her family's hold on her.
Jane: This weekend?
Me: Yeah.
