Page 19 of Clumsy in Love

They arrived at the airport, sailed through security after Cole flashed his badge, and boarded the plane. Once they were seated and buckled in, Holly closed her eyes. Her skin prickled, sensing his eyes on her. She cracked open an eyelid and confirmed he was staring at her.

“What?” she said.

“It’s just…you don’t seem too torn up.”

“I don’t particularly like it. Having you all up in my business twenty-four-seven will be a major pain. But I also don’t want a killer to get away. Nor doIwant to get killed.” She shrugged. “It is what it is.”

He shook his head. “I meant about your broken engagement.”

“Oh. That.” She paused. “I’m still figuring out how I feel about that. By the way, I’m having dinner with my friends tonight. Can you watch me from across the room or something?”

“We’ll see.”

Ninety minutes later, they arrived in Portsmouth and collected their luggage. She led him to her truck and threw her suitcase into the bed.

“This is you?” He stared blankly.

“Yeah. This is Dina. Chuck your stuff in the back, and let’s go.”

“I’ve never driven a pickup. Never mind one that’s fifty years old.”

“Good thing you’re not driving then.” She jingled the keys in his face to taunt him.

“Oh, I’m driving,” he said, snatching the keys from her hand. “That’s not negotiable.”

“Hey!”

He ignored her protest and got into the driver’s seat. Rolling her eyes, she relented and climbed into the passenger’s seat. “We’re running late. We’ll have to go straight to the restaurant.”

“Put the address in my GPS,” he said, handing over his phone.

“Just for the record,” she said. “I’m only letting you drive ’cause my ankle still hurts a little. Sometimes the clutch gets sticky, and you gotta put your back into it.”

“Good to know,” he muttered. He fired up the engine, which roared to life with a cough of exhaust. “Is this thing gonna get us where we want to go?”

“Dina?” Holly patted the dash. “She hasn’t failed me yet. Be gentle with her though.”

He swore under his breath but gently coaxed the truck into reverse.

“We don’t need GPS.” She held up his phone. “I’ll tell you how to get there.”

“Ah, yes. My favorite way to get directions.”

She ignored his surly, sarcastic comment. “Do you mind if I use your phone to send a few texts? You didn’t delete my convos, did you?”

“When are you getting a new one?” he asked.

“It should have arrived at Alex’s today. Man, I can’t wait. Unplugging is hard.”

He grumbled something that she took to mean, “Sure, use my phone.” She texted her friends. First, to tell them she was on her way, but also to ensure they would be on their best behavior around Cole. She chose her words carefully, since Mr. Nosy would probably read them later.

Cole turned onto the freeway and fiddled with the radio.

“She only gets am stations. George Strait’s in the cassette player. Feel free to pop that classic in.”

He used a hand to rub his face. “What have I gotten myself into?” he mumbled.

CHAPTER SEVEN

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