Page 58 of Chasing Xander
She frowned. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because you looked so peaceful, and obviously you were tired.” He flipped on his turn signal and switched lanes. “Plus, you talk in your sleep, and I wanted to know if you were going to say anything about me.”
“Stop it.” She playfully pushed his arm. “I do not talk in my sleep.”
“How do you know? Have you ever stayed awake long enough to hear yourself?” He winked.
She smiled and shook her head. “Wait. You’ve been driving for nine hours straight? I thought we were going to stop for food.”
“I was, but then you fell asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.” He shrugged.
“Well, stop now. Let me drive.” She really needed to get out of the car and stretch her legs. Food and a bathroom would be nice, too.
“There’s a rest stop about half a mile up. We’ll stop there.”
Kylie nodded. She arched her back and put her hands behind her head, gripping the head rest, and stretched. Every muscle in her body was tight, aching with the uncomfortable position she’d slept in for hours. She couldn’t believe Xander had driven for so long without waking her. Or complaining. He had to be tired and hungry and stiff.
His gaze darted to her, his eyes lingering on her chest. She leaned back in her seat as Xander pulled into the rest stop and parked. He got out and was halfway around to her side when she climbed out. She stretched her arms above her head and groaned with satisfaction. “Oh, that feels good.”
“No kidding.” He yawned. “Do you mind if we eat here?”
“You’re one of those guys, huh? The kind who won’t let anyone eat in your car?”
He laughed. “No. I’m tired of being cramped.” He held the door for her, and she stepped into the well-lit building ahead of him.
“Eating here is a good idea. I don’t want to be distracted while I’m driving.”
He smirked. “Maybe I changed my mind about letting you drive.”
She stopped and stared at him. He couldn’t be serious. “Oh, so you’re that guy, too? The one who makes offensive jokes about women drivers and won’t let someone else drive his car?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Seriously. You’re tired. And if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here right now, so youaregoing to let me drive. Hear me?”
His smirk turned into a full-blown smile, his eyes twinkling as he shook his head with amusement. “I was kidding.”
“Oh.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms to erase the goose bumps. “Well, good.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re cute when you’re agitated?”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a jerk?”
“All the time.” He turned and headed toward the restrooms.
Kylie followed. She’d wanted to spend the car ride talking with him, but she had to go and fall asleep. And when they got back in the car, he was going to nap. This trip wasn’t turning into what she’d hoped.
A few minutes later, she met Xander in the food court. He stood with his arms crossed, staring up at a large menu board. She approached, fully appreciating the view of his T-shirt stretched taut across his biceps.
“May I help you?” asked the guy behind the counter.
“Go ahead.” Xander nodded for her to go first.
She stepped up, still unsure of what she wanted to eat. “Um…” Her gaze searched the menu quickly. “I’ll have the chicken BLT with fries and a soda, please.”
“What size would you like?”
“Oh, uh, large. No, wait. Medium.” She smiled sheepishly.
The guy, whose name tag read Greg, returned her smile. “You sure?” He chuckled. “A large is only thirty cents more.”
She contemplated his offer. The last thing she’d eaten was a couple slices of cold pizza, and that was last night. But she didn’t want to be a pig in front of Xander. Finally, she shook her head. “No, medium is fine.”
