Page 66 of North

“Nope,” I say, stopping him as I pop open the driver’s door. “You’re driving. I’m done wrestling this thing for the day.”

He smirks but doesn’t argue, stepping back as I hop out. We meet in front of the truck, and as we pass eachother, he catches my arm and pulls me in for an unexpected kiss that curls my toes.

When he lifts his head, he asks, “How’d the job hunt go?”

The late-afternoon chill bites at my cheeks, and I pull my coat tighter around me. The underground garage is cold but not unbearable.

“Fine,” I say with a shrug.

North’s brow furrows. “That’s not exactly a glowing review. What’s up?”

“Nothing,” I snap, brushing past him and heading to the passenger side.

The sound of a door opening nearby catches my attention, and I glance up to see Atlas and Foster emerging from the arena. Foster tosses a puck up and down in one hand while Atlas struggles to balance a cup of coffee and a bag of gear.

“North! You driving Miss Daisy home?” Foster teases with a smirk, nodding toward me.

“Something like that,” North replies, shooting him a mock glare. “Try not to spill coffee all over your car this time, Atlas.”

“Don’t hate me because I’m a multitasker,” Atlas retorts, lifting his cup hand in a partial wave before the two disappear into the rows of parked vehicles.

North opens the driver’s door. “You’re not getting off that easy. There is something, and we’re going to talkabout it.”

I sigh, pulling open the passenger door and sliding into the seat, the plush leather cool against my legs. The faint smell of North’s cologne lingers in the cab, mingling with the subtle pine air freshener dangling from the mirror. He settles into his seat and turns to face me, his expression soft but insistent.

“What happened?” he presses, his hands dropping to my thigh where he squeezes it gently.

“I got a job offer.” I fidget with the seat belt. “I’m just not sure I want it.”

He studies me as if he’s trying to read between the lines. “Why not?”

I hesitate, the words knotting in my throat. It’s not that I don’t want to tell him—I just don’t know how to explain it in a way that doesn’t sound ungrateful or aimless.

“It’s just…” I start, but my voice trails off.

He doesn’t rush me. Instead, he shifts into a more relaxed position, his elbow resting on the center console, his fingers drumming lightly. The steady rhythm is almost soothing.

“I have an idea,” he says, calm but encouraging. “Let’s go for a walk by the river.”

I snort, rolling my eyes. “It’s freezing out there.”

“Stop being a baby. You’re a Canadian. I’m sure you’ll survive.”

North jumps out of the truck and with a groan, I follow suit. I meet him at the rear of the truck, buttoning up my coat. “You’re seriously dragging me out into the cold to talk about this?”

“Yep,” he says, grabbing my hand and leading me through the garage and back into the arena. The front lobby doors on the opposite side of the building sit adjacent to the river walk and is the straightest course to reach our objective. “Because whatever’s going on in that head of yours is worth freezing my ass off for.”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. There’s something about North’s determination that’s both infuriating and endearing. Maybe a walk by the river isn’t the worst idea after all.

When we reach the concrete path that follows the Allegheny, I take in the beautiful skyline. I’m a big-city girl by nature but despite the towering buildings, Pittsburgh has always had a small town feel to it. I’ve decided that I actually like it.

The sky is a muted gray, the sun hidden behind a thick layer of clouds that promise snow later tonight. Despite the cold, the rhythmic sound of the river flowing beside us is oddly settling, mingling with the scrape of our boots on the concrete.

North’s hand wraps securely around mine, adding extra warmth through my gloves. He leads me to a bench nestled beneath a canopy of barren trees. I shiver slightlyas North sits beside me, pulling me close and draping his arm around my shoulders. His body radiates heat, and I can feel the strength of him even through our coats.

“You okay?” he asks, giving my arm a gentle squeeze.

I nod, burrowing deeper into his side, grateful for the shelter he provides from the wind. “Yeah. It’s just freezing.”

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