Page 48 of Wrong Car, Wright Guy
They both look at me and nod.
I shake my head and sigh. “I’m scared I’m gonna mess this up, you know.”
“You won’t, sugar,” Darren says. “You are a catch. Tanner knows it and we know it. You’ll be just fine.” Both men give me a hug, then we all laugh at how serious we’re being before we break apart and I finish gathering my things.
I’m just zipping up my suitcase when the door buzzer goes and Theo tells Tanner that we’ll be right down.
Helping me carry my bag down the stairs, Theo hands it to Tanner at the main door, then shakes his hand. “Take care of my sister,” he says, his tone serious as he holds Tanner’s gaze. “Return her in one piece. The only way you get to keep her is if you put a ring on her finger. You hear?”
“Loud and clear,” Tanner says, while I just stare at them both with my mouth open.
“I’m not an object to be bargained with,” I say, laughing at their audacity. “What century were you born in?”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for you,” Theo says. “You want me not to care?”
“How about you go upstairs and propose toyourboyfriend instead of putting pressure on mine?”
Theo laughs, then heads back inside. When I turn to Tanner, he’s smirking.
“What?”
“I’m your boyfriend,” he says, sliding my suitcase into the trunk of his car.
“Oh. Should I not have said that?”
He wraps his hand around the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. “Say it all you like. It’s true.”
I try to fight my grin but lose. “OK. Boyfriend.”
He kisses me once more, then gives my ass a squeeze before telling me to get in the car. “You’ve got a very excited sister to meet.”
* * *
“What is yourname?”Since the weather is nice, we meet Camille outside the facility and her carer comes for a walk with us, hanging back discreetly in case she’s needed.
“Ruby,” I say with a smile, walking alongside her wheelchair. Tanner pushes, doing a couple of tricks that tip Camille back and have her in fits of giggles. He explained to me on the drive over here that her brain injury caused developmental disabilities as well as paralysis down one side of her body. She’s unable to do a lot of things for herself and needs constant care to help her navigate the world.
“Like a diamond but red.”
“Yeah,” I say. “My mom used to call me ‘precious’ when I was little since I was named after a gemstone.”
“My mom used to call me Camille.”
“Well, Camille is a fantastic name.
“It’s a beautiful name,” Tanner adds, leaning in so Camille can see him. I don't think I’ve ever seen him smile as much as he has in this short time we’ve been visiting with Camille. Being around her, caring for her, obviously brings out the best in him. “My favorite name.”
Camille throws her head back and laughs, loving her brother’s attention. “Can we get ice cream?”
“Sure we can,” he says. “You want your favorite? Pistachio?”
That has her in giggles again. “No. Notpistachio. Chocolate. I only like chocolate.”
“OK,” he says. “Vanilla it is.”
Camille shakes her head and laughs. “Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.”
“OK. I’ll get you chocolate. Anyone else?” Tanner looks to me and Camille’s carer, who declines the offer. However, I accept and go for a chocolate too.
