“Not the Honda dealership.”
He shrugged. “They’re all connected.”
“So you can add it to the invoice?”
“Add what?” Three tiny lines appeared between his brows.
“Add the cost of the tire to the money I owe you for the dent. The ten thousand dollars.”
Cam looked at her strangely. “I’m still waiting for the final total. It won’t be that much. They said it should be an easy fix. Maybe a couple of thousand. We’ll see.”
“But you were adamant it was going to cost at least ten thousand.” Why was she arguing? This was good news, wasn’t it? But she didn’t want to be blindsided, not when she still had no idea how to find the money. Better to be realistic than to have hope.
Life had taught her that much.
“I was wrong. And maybe a little hot headed.” He gave her that sexy half smile again. “I kind of like my car.”
“I got that impression.”
Cam bit down a grin at her sarcasm. “Maybe you’d like to come out with me in it once I have it back,” he suggested. “You might like it, too.”
She stared at him for a few long seconds. “You want me to come out in your car?”
“Only if you want to. It’ll be kind of part yours anyway, after you pay for the repairs.”
She felt the shudders run through her. It was a physical sensation. A little fear, a little excitement, and a whole lot of panic. “I don’t… I can’t…” She glanced to the side. Michael was talking to a kid his age. Was that actually a smile on his face? “I’m married,” she blurted out. Ugh, what an idiot she was. The divorce was almost completed in the courts.
“I heard you were separated.”
Her heart was pummeling against her chest. “Who told you that?”
“It’s a small town. Word gets round.”
“Yeah, well it’s complicated. Like the rest of my life. Seriously, you wouldn’t want me in your car. Or to do anything with me, come to that. I have two kids, an almost ex-husband, and more baggage than you could fit in the trunk of your Audi.”
“I wasn’t asking you to bring any luggage.” He gave her a wink. “Let me take you out to dinner. That’s all. See if this thing between us means something.”
“This thing between us?” She arched an eyebrow. “There’s nothing between us apart from a ten thousand dollar debt.”
No stupid crazy glances. N
o hot blushes. No Googling and clicking on image searches.
Nope, nothing at all.
He blinked, thick eyelashes sweeping down. “I wasn’t asking for your hand in marriage, Mia. Just a date. But I get the hint. You’re not interested.” He shrugged. “Your choice.”
Yeah, it was. But she already felt like a prize asshole for turning him down like that. Sure, he was a player. Maybe in more ways than one. But it never hurt to be polite.
“I should go,” she said quickly, looking around at Michael. “I need to get home and cook lunch. I’ll see you around. Thank you again for the tire.”
“You’re welcome.” Why was he still smiling? “I’ll see you around, Mia.”
No he wouldn’t, because she planned to hide herself away until he left town. Or maybe join a nunnery. That would work. She wondered if they accepted single moms and their children.
Chapter Eight
“Mom! Guess what?” Michael barreled into the kitchen, his bag slung over his shoulder. Mia looked up from the table where she was helping Josh with his homework, watching as Michael dumped his bag on the tiled floor and walked over to kiss her cheek.