Page 38 of Where We Stay

“You don’t owe me anything else, Blair,” Dean repeats. “Your invoice is in the glove compartment. Once you pay that, we’re even.”

He says it as though it’s simple.

Maybe, to him, it is.

I finally hand him the money. “Two hundred.”

“Two hundred,” he confirms, accepting the cash.

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

Dean gives me a small nod. “You’re welcome.”

I walk him outside and stop beside my freshly fixed girl. The lighthouse magnet I bought presses against my thigh from inside my pocket.

“Thank you again,” I tell him. “You really saved my ass.”

“Happy to help.”

I smile at him.

Do I hug him?

It feels like I should hug him.

But the thought of stepping into his space makes my body hesitate, so I tighten my fingers around the keys instead.

Dean doesn’t move any closer.

My thoughts are interrupted when I realize his truck is nowhere to be seen.

“Wait.” I point toward the Kombi. “Do you need a ride back into town?”

“Nah,” he replies, glancing toward the road. “Knox should be here any second with my truck.”

As if summoned by his name, the black Raptor turns onto my street and pulls up beside the cottage.

Knox gives me a wave through the windshield.

I smile and wave back.

Dean starts walking toward the passenger side before looking back at me.

“Good luck tomorrow,” he says.

My chest warms at the fact that he remembered.

“Thanks,” I reply. “I’ll probably need it.”

Dean gives me one final nod before climbing into the truck.

I watch them drive away, remaining beside the Kombi until they disappear down the road.

I’m not used to being treated so…human.

I’m not used to someone helping me without using that help as leverage.

I’m not sure what to do with kindness that doesn’t ask for anything in return.