The Ford truck slowed to a stop beside me, and I found myself gazing into eyes that seemed to glimmer in the little bit of light that the night had to offer. The man gazing back at me took me by complete surprise, and I found myself lost for words as my eyes traced the strong jaw and cheekbones down to the muscular arm leaning on the open window. Why, hello!
I thanked whatever God was in heaven for the fact that he couldn’t see me blush.
“Jenni?”
I frowned, recognizing the voice immediately, and looked past the hunk in the passenger seat at Samuel Logan. He was leaning on the steering wheel to look at me, and between the two men sat a beautiful girl with thick brunette hair, probably no older than twelve or thirteen, with her eyes glued to her ph
one.
“Sam!” I cried out, a wave of relief washing over me. “Am I glad to see you!”
“What are you parked all the way out here for?” Samuel asked.
I bit my lip, embarrassed as I looked from Samuel to his passenger and back. Those eyes! I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.
“Battery died on me,” I replied, trying my best not to focus on the man still staring at me.
“Did you try calling Pete’s?” Samuel asked.
“Phone died, too,” I admitted, albeit a little more quietly.
“Hold up,” Samuel said, stepping out of the truck with a groan. “Let me see what we can do about that.”
I watched him walk around the front of the truck, then looked back at the man in the passenger seat. He gave me a small smile and a nod, and I quickly returned both before following Samuel to my car. I unlocked the hood, and he pushed it up, locking it in place.
“So, what happened?” Samuel asked.
“Just stopped in the middle of the road,” I replied, briefly looking over my shoulder as the other man stepped out of the truck.
“And it won’t start?”
“Nope.”
“Problem with the alternator,” the other man said, walking past me and reaching into the hood of the car. I saw him fiddle with the spark plugs before clicking his tongue. “At least that’s what it sounds like.”
“Jenni, you know my son, Alex,” Samuel said.
No fucking way!
My eyes shot wide as Alex Logan smiled and reached out a hand. I took it, shaking it loosely and just stared at him. Like an idiot, I might add.
“I think he babysat you a couple of time,” Samuel chuckled. “This is Hank’s little girl, Alex.”
Alex nodded in recognition, his eyes never leaving mine, and I felt like I was beginning to drown in them. There was something more than just masculine about him. His entire demeanor reflected control and confidence, and for a second there I actually believed he could start my car with just the snap of his fingers.
“Jenni Wright,” he said, smiling again. “I remember.”
I remembered Alex from my old days, when he was a senior in high school and on his way to college. He had babysat me a few times, especially when my dad had to pull double shifts when we were short on staff, and I remembered him telling me that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I made sure to keep it down. He had even let me stay up late. I also remembered the childish little crush I had on him.
“Surprised you’re still in Kent,” Alex was saying.
“I’m managing the diner with my dad,” I replied. “And doing a little writing.”
“And robs me of my money every morning,” Samuel cut in, chuckling. I shot him one of my ‘don’t play that card’ looks I usually reserved for my dad’s friends, and that only made him laugh harder. Alex seemed quite amused at the whole ordeal.
“Well, there’s nothing I can do for you here, Jenni,” Samuel said, “but we can tie your car up to the truck and I can tow you to Pete’s.”
“Anything is better than sitting out here,” I said. “I was thinking of just walking home and leaving it here until the morning.”