Page 75 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

“Nothing.” She turned to the window. “Never mind.”

I wasn’t in the mood for never minds. “What did you mean, you’re an idiot?”

“It’s nothing.” She waved it off.

“Londyn.” My jaw clenched tight. “I’m hanging on by a thread here. Talk to me.”

She hesitated, then looked my way. “You asked me to stay.”

“And you said no.” I remembered that word quite clearly from our conversation.

“You didn’t ask again, and I thought you were just being understanding. I’m an idiot because I didn’t even consider you might want me to go. That you were just in this for the short-term.” Her voice cracked and she dropped her gaze to her lap.

“What the fuck are you talking about? How hard did you hit your head?” I studied her face. It was too pale. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

How could she think I didn’t want her to stay? Watching her drive away had been ten times harder than I’d expected.

“I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“If you think I wanted you to leave, then you’re not thinking straight.”

“You want me to stay?”

I nodded. “Very much so.”

“Then why didn’t you ask me again?”

“Because you said no.” I tossed a hand into the air, the hold on my temper nearly a thread. “I got the message. Over and over. You’re leaving Summers and not looking back. I’m not the type of guy who asks a question when I already know the answer.”

“Oh.” She lifted a hand to cover a smile.

I reached across the truck and pulled that hand away. “You’re not leaving?”

“I’m not leaving. I was looking for a place to turn around when that truck tried to run me off the road.”

But she’d been so set on going. “For how long?”

“I haven’t really put a time limit on this. Would you mind if I stayed?” She paused. “With you?”

Would I mind? Fuck no, I wouldn’t mind. She could stay with me for as long as she wanted. Forever, if that suited her fancy. With Londyn, each day was brighter. I didn’t want to live the rest of my life alone. But I didn’t want just any woman to share my life.

I wanted Londyn.

Something I wanted to talk about, but not while I was driving a goddamn tow truck.

“Hold that question for me, honey. I need to see your face.”

She nodded, folding her hands in her lap. Damn it. Had that come out as a rejection? Because that’s not what I’d meant.

Son of a bitch. I was pissed about the asshole who’d run her off the road and things weren’t coming out right. I hit the edge of Summers and pulled the rig to the side of the road. Then I hopped out, jogging around to the other side to open Londyn’s door. “Climb down.”

She nodded, undoing her seat belt. Then she stepped on the running board before jumping to the road.

“Start over for me. You’re staying?” I needed to hear it again.

Londyn nodded. “I’d like to stay.”

“And I’d like you to stay. With me.”