Page 66 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

I munched on my donut while he drove us to work. I even took a few sips of coffee because I felt bad about wasting it. Extra sweet.

“So, did your memory ever come back?”

“Hmm?”

“Your memory of what happened after I dropped you off Friday. You’re required to report any felonies to the company.”

“What?” My mouth opened, no doubt showing him a wad of chewed dough. For the first time, it’d occurred to me that we had messed with his truck in a public lot where anyone could’ve seen and called in suspicious behavior. Stupid.

“I’m kidding, Perry.”

“Oh.” I crumpled up the bag. “And yes, it came back.”Most of it.

He didn’t ask anything about it, not that I would’ve told him anyway. We drove the rest of the way in silence, and when we pulled in, I felt that donut starting to rise back up.

“Is it going to look bad if anyone sees us getting out of the car together?” I said.

“Why would it?”

“Well, you know, policies and all that. I don’t want someone jumping to conclusions.”

“I’m just giving you a ride to work, that’s all. Perfectly innocent.”

“Right.”

Perfectly innocent.

The following day we stopped at Starbucks, and the day after that I invited him inside for coffee before heading to work. Christa had already left or I wouldn’t have considered it. I would have never heard the end of it. It didn’t matter how perfectly innocent our behavior was; she would have called it a load of bullshit, and I didn’t want to deal with it.

He sat at my kitchen table, sipping black coffee while I packed my lunch. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing any of this even two days earlier. Kooky how things work out that way.

I was beginning to think I was onto something here. The more time we spent together, the easier it became.

“Any word on when you’re getting your car back?”

I shook my head. Now that he mentioned it, I hadn’t heard much at all from Dre that week. I knew he was busy, but still, it was already Thursday. Was it too much to ask for a simple phone call? And did I even have a right to say anything about it when I hadn’t even noticed until Stephen brought it up?

“I’m sure it’ll be soon,” I said. “You shouldn’t be stuck with me much longer. I can also ask Kate or—” I turned around and my throat closed up. He was standingright there.

“I’m not complaining, Perry.” He reached around me and set his cup in the sink.

“Okay, then.” I cleared my throat and stepped aside. “We should probably get going.”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want to be late. I heard the new boss is a real stickler for rules.”

“Smartass.”

He smirked, leaning against the counter like he belonged there. My phone dinged in my purse. Then it dinged again. And again.

“Aren’t you going to check that?”

“I will on the way.”

As soon as we were on the road, I checked my texts. The first one was from Stu, and it made me smile.

Morning, gorgeous. Kenny changed his answer last night to maybe. Is it too soon to bust out the champagne? P.S. Patience sucks (but he’s worth it).

Yay! That’s wonderful! Get that champagne ready, sweetie. You’re going to get that yes answer soon, I can feel it. P.S. Good things come to those who wait (and agreed—he’s worth it).

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