Page 54 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

Chapter Eleven

Brooks

I hung up the phone, setting it on the boat’s dashboard. “That was the body shop. Your car’s done.”

“Okay.” Londyn kept her gaze on the water. “Do we have to go get it now? Or can we stay out here for a while?”

“We can stay.”

We’d stay long enough for me to memorize how she looked today. Her hair was up, twisted in a knot, still wet from our swim. Sunglasses covered her eyes. The only thing she wore was a simple black bikini she’d bought at a local shop today when I’d invited her to spend the afternoon with me on the boat.

She was breathtaking. This was how I’d picture her in the years to come. I’d remember her sitting in that seat, soaking up the sun and stealing my heart with every passing second.

The week had gone by too fast.

That always seemed to be the case when the end drew near.

Mack had texted me earlier in the week, estimating he’d have Londyn’s car done by Friday. Well, Friday was here, and true to his word, it was done. She’d be gone soon, which made my decision to take the day off work even smarter.

I’d called Tony this morning and asked if he could cover the garage. Fridays were typically busy but he’d assured me he’d take care of all the oil changes that rolled in. Worst-case scenario, he’d turn folks away for Monday. One Friday away wasn’t going to sink my business. One missed day with Londyn would eat at me for years.

I’d gone over to her room first thing, before she disappeared on one of her walks around town, and asked her to spend the day with me. We’d gone to breakfast at the diner. We’d found her a swimming suit at Walmart. We’d loaded up on groceries for a picnic lunch. Then we’d headed for the water.

Much like the first time, I’d cruised us around the lake before coming to the middle to float. Then I’d stripped her out of that bikini and made love to her on the floor. We’d cooled off afterward with a swim. I’d just finished toweling off when my phone rang and Mack put a damper on my day.

She was leaving.

Fuck. Was I destined to be alone? Before Moira, there hadn’t been many girls. Just a few high-school flings, forgotten before they’d even begun. Once Moira and I had hooked up, she’d made it known around Summers High that I was off-limits.

Our marriage had been doomed from the start. Moira and I had been opposites in every sense of the word—that old adage was bullshit. Opposites didn’t attract. They annoyed.

After the divorce, after my failed attempts at dating, I’d decided I’d rather be single than with a woman more interested in my parents’ money than me and my simple garage. Sure, I had a nice house and a new boat. I’d earned those things. I’d paid for them by working my ass off.

I had Wyatt. I had my family. I didn’t feel alone.

Until Londyn.

She’d blown into town and made me realize the hole in my life. The hole in the exact shape of a five-foot-five blond woman with

jade-green eyes.

Goddamn, I would miss her.

“It’s really beautiful here.” She smiled, casting her gaze at the trees that surrounded the lake. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find another lake as pretty as this one.”

My heart. Replace lake with woman and she’d voiced the thoughts in my mind.

She’d been making comments like that all week, reminding us both she was leaving. How could I forget? The minutes were ticking by too quickly. The nights I spent in her motel room weren’t enough. We still had the weekend, but I needed more.

I wouldn’t get more. I’d asked once.

I wouldn’t ask again.

One no from this woman was enough to crush my hopes for good.

Londyn was leaving. I had no choice but to accept it, appreciate it even.

The longer she stayed, the more I’d keep begging for another day. I’d push for a week, then a month, then a year.