Page 47 of Always Meant for You
“Because I’m a guy,” I reply sharply. “And you’re getting in my truck. Don’t they do that in New York City?”
She blinks. And there it is again, that flash of something vulnerable.
And I can’t keep my walls up.
“Mabel, what is it?” I ask softly.
Maybe she’s upset about a boyfriend in New York. But he isn’t worth shit. If someone hurt her, then he’s got a goddamn death wish.
“Well, open the door if you’re insisting on doing it,” she says, a weariness coating the words.
Maybe she is going through a breakup.
What do I care if she’s got someone back in the city?
My heart hammers against my ribcage.
Apparently, my blood pressure cares a lot.
I swing the door open. She starts to climb in, then freezes. “There’s a cat in here.”
I forgot about my moody stowaway.
“It’s a kitten,” I correct, “and her name is Mabel.”
Why did I say that?
I want to punch myself in the mouth.
I gently move the milk crate with the sleeping furball into the center of the bench seat.
At least it’ll be a buffer.
Mabel slides in, balancing the casserole on her lap. I round the truck and pray the old beast doesn’t pick today to die. When I turn the key, the engine fires up with only a minor protest.
She glances at my hands. “No wedding ring?”
That comes out of nowhere. I shoot her a look as I steer out of the lot. “Why would you say that?”
She does a flick-of-the-wrist thing. “I’m surprised you’re not married to Missy Pritzker Martin with a litter of kids by now.”
I swallow hard. “Jamie was the one who liked Missy. You know that.”
I glance over. Her stiff posture hasn’t changed, but her eyes give her away. They’re haunted and flickering with something she doesn’t want me to see. The breeze lifts her hair, pulling it across her face. She’s never looked more beautiful. And never more breakable.
“Eyes on the road, farmer,” she orders.
And dammit, I can’t even give her shit. I was staring.
I clear my throat. “We’ve got one stop to make. Then I’ll get you home.”
“Where?”
“The pharmacy.”
She sighs. “All right.”
I glance over. “Did you take the bus the whole way from New York?”
