Page 27 of Second Time Around

He jacked up the car, trying to suppress a smile. He’d figured she wasn’t seeing anyone, since she probably would have called the guy instead of a tow truck. Lucky for him, he was the guy, although some might argue that changing a tire in the intense heat wasn’t lucky. His new T-shirt was already damp with sweat, and beads of perspiration dripped down his face. He wished he were going swimming with her, and not just so he could see her in a bathing suit.

“What about you? Any big plans for tonight?”

He was somewhat surprised she’d asked. Then again, she probably felt like she had to make small talk since he was changing her tire.

“No big plans.” He’d intended on taking a run and then watching TV, which sounded lame for a Friday night.

He pulled off the flat tire and laid it on the pavement. Then he lifted the spare tire into place. “You’ll want to get the tire fixed as soon as possible. It’s not good to drive on a spare for long.”

“I guess I should have learned how to change a tire, huh?”

With her good looks, he doubted she’d ever have trouble finding a guy to help her out, but for fear of sounding sexist, he kept that to himself. “If it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone.”

“None of my friends know how, either. Of course, most of them have boyfriends now…”

He paused while tightening the lug nuts on the spare tire, wondering if he’d detected jealousy in her voice.

“If you hadn’t come along, I would have called a tow truck, and everything would have been fine.”

Not jealousy, then. Even though she didn’t know how to change a tire, he’d always thought of her as a strong woman and a force to be reckoned with. She’d always known exactly what she wanted and accomplished whatever she set her mind to. Her grit and determination were qualities he’d admired as a teenager and still did today.

“I’m glad I was here to help. You might have had to wait a long time for a tow truck.”

He lowered the vehicle back down, tightened the lug nuts again, and removed the jack. Then he placed the flat tire and tools in the back of her car.

When he turned to face her, she was gazing at him with a faraway expression. What did I do wrong this time?

“You’re all…sweaty.”

He pulled the T-shirt away from his skin, not that it did any good. “I’ll shower when I get home.”

“I should probably pay you or something.”

“Don’t be silly. That took all of ten minutes.”

“But you wouldn’t be all sweaty if it weren’t for me.”

He couldn’t help it. His mind went there. He envisioned getting sweaty with her in a much more enjoyable way and then showering off with her afterward.

“I can’t just let you go home like that.”

“What are you suggesting?” he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral. Invite me to the pool with your friends…

“Ice cream!”

“Huh?”

“There’s a Dairy Queen just up the road. Let me treat you.”

“You don’t have to. I would have done the same for anyone.”

“I know, but since you helped me out, I want to do something for you.”

I have some ideas, and none of them involve ice cream. Reign it in, buddy.

“Please, Beck. Let me do this.”

He’d run out of arguments. Besides, eating ice cream with her sounded better than going home alone. Plus, like her, he rarely turned down dessert. “Okay.”