Page 2 of The Reno
The pale yellow paper and large font meant the words were less likely to do a silly little dance, which would result in a skipped line or two.
“Katherine—”
“It’s okay. I’ll drive Kat back, and we’ll be there in time for the beginning,” Graham said.
Uncertainty flickered across my mother’s face. She was about to step into a church full of her ex-husband’s family, most of whom she hadn’t seen in fifteen years. She was biting her lip. She was nervous, even if she would never admit it.
“No. I’ll drive Mum’s car. I’m still on the insurance. I’ll drive there, grab the notes, and then come back. You guys can do the welcoming and stuff.”
Graham frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I bit out, instantly feeling guilty for snapping at Graham.
My tall, gangly stepdad walked into my life when I hadn’t wanted a replacement dad. I was still harbouring hope that my actual dad wanted to be in my life. But Graham never held my teenage surliness against me. He slotted in neatly, often running interference between Mum and me.
From the back seat, I leaned forward and whispered, “Sorry.”
Graham answered me with a pat on my hand.
Mum and Graham climbed out of the Volvo, and I jumped into the front seat, stress and sweat forming on my brow.
“See you in a bit.” I started the engine and pulled out of the church car park.
Twenty-five minutes later, I returned with a sense of déjà vu.
The car park was full.
I should have seen this coming; it was a small car park, and basically every person in Everly Heath had been invited, thanks to my uncle Brian and auntie Sandra being the most popular residents in the town.
I checked my watch.
Three minutes to go.
A black BMW had its reversing lights on, and I let out a breath. I flashed my full beam, and they reversed. As I shifted into gear, a white transit van hurtled past me at speed, nabbing the spot last minute.
My mouth fell open. I blinked furiously, hoping I’d imagined it. I watched as a tall dark-haired man appeared out of the van, his phone in the crook of his neck, completely oblivious. Fury filled my stomach, and my face burned.
I beeped my horn loudly and the man turned around, confusion on his face. He returned to his call, so I beeped again. Finally, he put the phone down and approached the car, a bored expression on his features that only fuelled my fury.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I exclaimed out of the window, gesturing wildly.
“Can I help?” he asked innocently, a Mancunian lilt to his deep voice.
The man stopped outside my open window, and some little goblin part of my mind registered he was undeniably attractive. He had deep, soulful brown eyes, a scruffy beard and hair just long enough to tuck behind his ears. I shook my head, ignoringhow my heart raced as his eyes flickered across my face like I was a fascinating specimen.
“That was my spot. You came in at breakneck speed and stole it.”
An understanding registered in his eyes, and his face turned from curious to unreadable.
He shrugged. “You were taking too long.”
He pulled his phone back out of his pocket, swiping it open. He squinted as his thumb shifted through what I could see were the green messages on WhatsApp.
“Excuse me,” I said, waving a hand in front of his face, “I was waiting for the woman to reverse out of her spot. You overtook me and stole the spot. It was my spot. I’d appreciate it if you moved.”
“She was already gone, and you hadn’t even indicated yet.”
I took a deep breath.
