Page 86 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“That was for calling me pretty,” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ll get over the disappointment of eating at a plastic table.” I kept my tone bright despite the butterflies the look in his eyes was bringing to life. It was the world’s biggest rush to be free to touch him after so many years of being hands off. “They’d better have churros, though.”

“Anything for the princess.” He let go of my waist and took my hand in his, leading the way out a wall of doors and into the food court.

An hour later we were headed home, the truck bumping along underneath us, our shoulders and legs once again pressed together.

“Okay, so if you could have any car in the entire world, what would you drive?” I asked him.

“Any car?”

“Yeah. Money is no object. Any car at all.” He shrugged. “Connor, you’re a mechanic who just took me to a car expo. Obviously you’ve thought about this. What would it be?”

He grinned. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I really like my truck.”

“Is this how I find out that you’re not a dreamer?” I replied.

“I have dreams. I also have simple tastes in life, which makes it easy to be happy.” He pressed his knee against mine.

“Ah, now I understand why we’re dating. You’re a man of simple tastes and I’m a simple girl.”

“You are anything but simple.” He stated it so firmly that my eyes grew large.

I turned in the seat to look directly at him. “I was joking around, but I do believe you’re accusing me of being complicated.”

He shook his head, and his eyes danced in the headlights of oncoming cars. “You’re not simple, and you’re not complicated.”

“Difficult?”

“Eh.” He shrugged again and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, for the record, you’re much more difficult than I’ll ever be.”

“I’m about as easygoing as they come.” He grinned.

“Whatever.” I sat back in my seat, but a smile remained on my lips. “I still need to know what car you’d drive.”

“What car would you drive?”

“Gasp, Connor, as if I’d ever give up Old Reliable,” I replied.

He laughed out loud, something I’d come to realize didn’t happen often. “My apologies.”

“You’re forgiven. When she dies, and we both know she will, I’d love to drive that purple one with the swivel seat on the passenger side. I’d be the only person in Oak Hills with a purple car, and it would be so cool to have your seat face backwards so you can have, like, a dinner party while driving.”

“The driver would be left out.”

“That’s fine.”

“As long as the driver isn’t you?”

“Obviously.” I pulled a face.

“A woman of simple needs.”

“Like I said before, you really get me.”

His hand had been resting on my leg while we drove, but now he reached for my hand and wove my fingers through his before pulling our linked hands onto his leg. I liked the contact. I loved the way his larger hand, calloused and a little rough, enveloped mine completely. I liked the way he felt strong and steady next to me.

“I’m really glad you came out with me today.”

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