“You could say that, but I guess it was good timing—” he gave her a significant look “—because I happened by right after your accident.”
“I would have been perfectly fine without your help.” No way was Jordan Serenghetti her knight in shining armor.
“Well, judging by your mouth, you’re not hurt. And I figure you’re going to deny being shaken up. So what happened?”
It irked that he could tell she was rattled. “I swerved to avoid a bear in the road.” She grimaced and scanned the woods around them. “In fact, I hope it’s not hanging around.”
“It’s unlikely to view you as a threat.” His lips quirked. “I, on the other hand...”
She flushed. Considering she’d just tried to stage a takedown of his womanizing ways back at the bar, she could hardly argue. Next, she expected a critique of her driving skills, but surprisingly it didn’t come.
Instead, Jordan examined her car, training his flashlight on the front.
She bit back a gasp as the badly dented front fender was illuminated. And the headlight had been taken out. Her car was a piece of junk, but now she’d have to add automotive repair costs to her budget.
Jordan tucked the flashlight under his arm and pulled out his cell phone.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Being practical,” he responded mildly, walking a few steps away. “I’m getting highway patrol out here.”
“You’re calling the police?” she said.
His gaze met hers. “So you don’t have to. Your insurance may require a police report.”
Sera wrapped her arms around herself. The night was warm, but she suddenly felt chilled. She could fume at his take-charge attitude—or grudgingly accept his help, despite what had just happened between them at the Puck & Shoot.
Within minutes, as Jordan continued his inspection of her car, the police showed up. Sera could only conclude there must have been a highway-patrol car in the vicinity.
When the patrolman got out of his car and approached, he paused a moment, and then obviously recognizing Jordan, his expression relaxed. “Hey, you’re Jordan Serenghetti.”
“Yup.”
“Got into a little fender bender tonight?”
“Not me, her.”
Sera watched as the police officer’s gaze came to rest on her. She gave a jaunty little wave that belied her emotions. So this was what it felt like to play second fiddle to Jordan’s star power.
“What happened?” the officer asked, his gaze now on her.
“I swerved to avoid a bear that appeared on the road.” She gestured at her car. “And, well, you can figure out the rest.”
The officer rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh-huh.”
“She may need paperwork for insurance purposes,” Jordan put in.
“Right.”
The police officer put up flares while Jordan summoned a tow truck.
When the officer got back to her, she had her driver’s license and insurance information ready as another patrol car pulled up.
Again the officer—another middle-aged blond guy—did a double take when he saw Jordan.
The first officer patted his colleague on the shoulder as he went by to his car to fill out the necessary paperwork, and Jordan chatted casually with the new arrival, who obviously couldn’t believe his luck at running into a sports celebrity during his shift.
Sera was miserable. The night had gone from bad to worse. She should be slipping between bedcovers right now in soft, worn pajamas. Instead, she was in the middle of a Jordan Serenghetti fan moment.