Page 25 of Where We Stay

“Welcome to owning a vintage car,” he says.

“I liked you better when you were rescuing me from Mary,” I tell him.

“That was cheaper,” Dean replies.

A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it.

Dean watches me for a second before turning back toward the Kombi.

“I should have it ready by Monday morning,” Dean tells me.

“That long?” I ask, glancing toward the van.

“I have two other cars ahead of yours,” he explains. “But I’ll make sure it’s done first thing.”

“Okay,” I reply. “Monday is fine.”

Dean reaches for his keys on the workbench. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“I can take you home,” he offers.

“G said she can come back for me,” I remind him.

“She texted while I was checking the engine,” Dean explains. “She’s already getting ready for work.”

“Oh.” I glance toward the empty reception area. “I could still wait here.”

“You could,” he agrees. “But I’m heading south anyway.”

Dean pauses beside the door and looks back at me.

“It’s up to you,” he adds.

He doesn’t order me into the truck or act as though the decision has already been made.

He simply holds the door open and waits.

I could call G.

I could wait.

Instead, I walk through the door beside him.

Apparently Hartwell is already doing strange things to me.

Five

Dean

Why the fuck did I offer to drive her home?

Georgie would’ve come back without a second thought. Knox probably would’ve volunteered just to piss me off.

But no.

Apparently, I needed to be the fucking hero today.