“My mother doesn’t really want me driving around. If she had her way, I’d be chauffeured everywhere.” I roll my eyes at the thought of my mother. “I thought about asking Dad for a car on my birthday. It’s this spring.”
“I have a spring birthday too.” He grins. “You definitely need a car. Who wants to be driven around all the time? There’s just something about driving that makes me feel like I have some semblance of control over my life.”
Wouldn’t that be nice? I certainly don’t know the feeling.
“Hey,” I say, perking up a bit. “Will you teach me how to drive a stick?” Mars laughs and the sound is intoxicating.
“Yeah. I’ll teach you.” The glint in his blue eyes is unmistakable. I want to see more of it. So much more.
Mars and I talk until our food comes out—and even after it’s on the table—we talk until it turns cold. “I guess we better get to-go boxes,” he says chuckling.
“I think you’re right.” I look at my phone and note Mom will be home soon, and she’s the last person I want asking me tons of questions.
Mars calls over our waitress and asks for the check and two doggy bags. “I meant for us to actually eat the food.” He sighs.
“Well, I promise to think about you when I eat it,” I tell him with a smile. He tucks his bottom lip between his teeth and gives me a look that turns me into a pile of ash in my seat. Mars is painfully sexy. I’m sure he knows it too.
“I’ll hold you to it,” he quips.
He pays for our food with cash and then we leave. I realize I like the feeling of my hand in his, so I slip my fingers between his while we walk back to his truck. I look up at the night sky for a moment, wondering if the stars are shining brighter tonight or if I’m just floating on a cloud.
Mars opens my door then places his hand on the small of my back to help me in. My skin warms to his touch as if my body has known him forever. “Thanks,” I manage to say, even though my throat is a desert.
He flashes a wolfish grin and my belly clenches at the sight of it. What is he doing to me? I try not to stare like a creep when he hops in the driver’s side with ease. He pushes out a long breath then turns the key in the ignition.
The engine tries to come to life but then sputters out. “Come on,” Mars grumbles, then tries again with no luck. A storm cloud floats over him and his mood turns sour.
I watch with curious eyes as he gets out and pops the hood. I can’t just sit here like a princess in a tower, so I get out and stand beside him, even though I have no idea what the hell I’m looking at. “What’s wrong?” I ask, peering at the engine with him.
“Battery’s dead. I need a jump. I have cables but I don’t think any of these people would be willing to help me out.” He slides his fingers through his hair but it still falls across his forehead. It does whatever it wants…like my hair.
Before Mars can say another word, I’m heading across the parking lot toward a couple standing near a Lexus SUV. I approach with my best Eleanor Emerson smile and wave at them. “Hi, I’m Sage and my friend and I need a jump.” My heart pounds in my chest, but I know Mars won’t ask. He’s too proud. I point to Mars’s truck and the guy nods.
“Sure, we’ll give you guys a jump. No problem.” He glances at the pickup across the parking lot then shares a look with the woman he’s with. It’s a smug look. One I’m certain Mars was trying to avoid but I ignore it. As I head back to the huge truck, anger tenses my muscles.
They are judgmental pieces of shit, but as long as they give Mars a jump, I don’t care. They ride over in their shiny Lexus and pop their hood. Mars’s jaw is tight as he connects the cables to his battery then theirs.
The guy gets in his SUV and revs the engine a few times. “Try it now,” he calls out to Mars. This time when Mars turns the key, the truck rumbles to life. The guy gives Mars a thumbs-up and waits patiently while the cars are disconnected.
“Thank you, sir,” Mars grits out before forcing a polite smile. I can tell the entire interaction has turned his mood and I hate it. He’s quiet on the way back to my house and I give him room to brood.
I have so many questions I want to ask him. So many things I want to say. I know now isn’t the time though. Once again, I find myself wanting to pluck the thoughts from his brain.