Page 31 of Off the Wall

But he takes a step forward, ducking his head, until I’m forced to meet his gaze. His eyes are even prettier in the sunset. All blue-gray and concerned and fringed with lashes. I dip my chin and take in the lower half of his bare arms. Lean muscles. A web of veins. Smooth skin. Light dusting of hair.

Stop it, Nori.

This man almost certainly has a girlfriend. Or two. Doctor girlfriends. Doctor-model girlfriends. Either way, he should be off-limits.

He is so off-limits.

“I really don’t mind,” he says. His voice is soft and deep. “You’re my neighbor, after all.”

Neighbor. Right. That’s how Dr. Cash Briggs sees me. Not as a woman he might be interested in. Which is a good thing. So how come there’s a lump gathering in my throat?

“In that case”—I gulp—“maybe you could try to jumpstart Dorothy.”

He blinks. “Dorothy?”

I reach out and drag my fingers along the edge of her dusty sideview mirror. “That’s what I call her,” I say. “I’ve had her for a decade. She’s more than a car to me.”

He bobs his head. “Well, I’m no expert, but this doesn’t seem like a battery issue to me. I’m thinking Dorothy’s got more of an engine problem.” He nods to indicate the smoldering hood. “Mind if I take a look?”

“Yes,” I say. “I mean no. Please do. Thank you.”

My heart squeezes as Cash proceeds after asking my permission. By contrast, I imagine Warren Snuze bragging about his mechanic skills, then swinging at my dilemma like a wrecking ball.

Thank goodness that date’s in the past. Forever. But my gratitude is short-lived because the minute Cash gets the hood up, evenIknow something’s terribly wrong.

He takes a step back, trying to avoid the white smoke pouring from … Is that the radiator? I have no idea. Besides the smoke, there are multiple kinds of fluid leaking around the interior. Some greenish and orangish stuff mixing with an oily black.

Probably oil, dummy.

The smell emanating from Dorothy is basically hot rubber and something else I can’t identify. Burning metal, maybe. Does metal burn? I don’t even know. Another low groan seeps out of me. “This looks bad, doesn’t it?”

Cash blows out a long breath. “It doesn’t look good.” For a long moment, we both stare at my poor Dorothy. Then I drop my head in silent mourning. In the distance a dull rumble sounds, growing louder.

“Whoa,” Cash growls, then suddenly he’s got an arm around me, slamming my body to his rock-hard chest. Most of the air whooshes from my lungs at the same time a red convertible roars past us only a few feet from me. The tailwind blows hot air up my legs, lifting my skirt, and I say a silent prayer of thanks that I only own one thong and I’m not wearing it tonight.

For a moment all I want to do is stay with my face pressed against Cash. He’s warm and big and safe.

Home.

The word pops into my head, and I leap away from him, heat rising in my throat. I barely know this man. And he’s unavailable. Dr. Cash Briggs is certainly not my home.

He drops his arms and takes a step back to give me some space. “Didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just … that car was coming in fast and you were right on the edge of the road.”

“I know.” Tears gather in my eyes, but I quickly blink them back. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be this emotional.” I swipe at my nose.

“It’s Dorothy. I get it.” He slides a wallet out of the back pocket of his scrubs. “I wish I could fix her for you, but I’ve got a roadside assistance account. I’ll call you a tow truck. Give you a ride home.”

“You don’t have to do?—”

“We’re neighbors, Nori. It’s okay.” We lock eyes, and he pauses, really looking at me.Seeingme. “The question is, areyouokay?”

My whole body floods in a silent scream of an answer.

I AM ACTUALLY NOT OKAY.

Repairing Dorothy is probably going to cost a boatload.Maybe even two whole boats. And I still need to scrape up ten grand to make up the shortfall for my business loan. Meanwhile, Cash has no idea what money problems are. He’s a doctor who dates gorgeous women. He owns a big beautiful truck and has big beautiful eyes that are staring at me, and?—

“For the record,” he says, “it’s okay not to be okay.”

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