Page 69 of You, Me, and Lucky Number 13

“Then we’ll handle it,” I say firmly, pulling her close. “Together. I meant what I said, Lola. I’m not letting anything come between us or our careers.”

She nods, resolve hardening her features. “Okay. So, what’s our next move?”

I grin, loving the way she says ‘our.’ “First, we finish prepping Eleanor. Then, we start digging. Chad’s bound to have left a trail somewhere.”

Lola’s eyes light up with that familiar spark of determination. “I’ll start by going through the data again, see if I can find any anomalies in the access logs.”

“That’s my girl,” I murmur, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.

As we turn back to the car, I feel a surge of energy. Chad might think he has the upper hand, but he doesn’t know what he’s up against. With Lola by my side, I’m unstoppable.We’reunstoppable.

“Hey, Lola?” I call out as she heads towards her laptop.

She turns, eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”

“I love you,” I say, the words still exhilarating on my tongue. Sure hope she doesn’t get tired of hearing me say that.

Her smile could power the whole damn track. “I love you, too, hotshot. Now let’s go catch ourselves a snake.”

As we dive back into our work, the air hums with purpose and possibility. Chad Tane might have started this war, but we’re damn well going to finish it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

COLE

“She’s done,”I say, pride swelling in my chest as we stand in the garage admiring Eleanor.

Lola runs her hand along the car’s sleek lines, eyes sparkling. “She’s beautiful,” she whispers. “Even better than before.”

I can’t help but grin. “Let’s try not to wreck her at the grocery store again, okay?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I scan Eleanor’s gleaming curves, my chest tight with a mix of pride and something else I can’t name, contentment maybe. Dammit, I’ve poured weeks into this rebuild, and she’s perfect. But it’s Lola’s face that I can’t stop watching, I’m enamored with this woman.

“Wanna take her for a spin?” The words are out before I can stop them. I’m not sure why I’m asking; it’s her car, after all.

Lola’s eyes light up like fireworks. “Really? You want to go for a drive?”

I grunt, signaling my confirmation like a caveman.

She bounces on her toes, and I have to look away. Too much energy, too mucheverything. I grab the keys while she heads to the passenger side.

“Never mind, I’ll drive. You’ll scratch the paint,” I growl.

As we slide in, the leather squeaks. The familiar scent hits me: motor oil, polish, and now a hint of Lola’s shampoo. My hands grip the wheel tight enough to leave marks.

The engine purrs to life. Eleanor. This car has kept us connected for years, one of the only things in my life that has always made sense.

I glance at Lola. She’s grinning like a kid on Christmas, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.

“Where to?”

She shrugs, hair falling across her face. “Surprise me.”

Dangerous words, sunshine.

I gun it out of the garage, tires squealing. Lola laughs, the sound drilling straight into my chest.

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