A snicker came from behind me.
“Problem?” I sassed.
“No problem, Penny.”
“Then what’s the laughing for?”
I turned to find Dante standing in place with his hands on his hips and grinning like the damn Cheshire Cat.
“That’s not my ride.”
My eyes pinged between him and the Hummer. “Really?”
“Why do you seem surprised?”
I shrugged. “If the shoe fits.”
Indignation hit his face. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, little lady. What are you implyin’?”
I waved an arm about. “Just saying that’s what all guys like you own.”
Dante’s mouth twitched and he folded his arms. “Guys likeme?”
“Yeah. You know....” I flicked my hand again, encompassing his general manliness.
His eyebrows lifted. “No, I don’t. But in the name of the game, let me guess; you own somethingpink.”
My arms slammed defensively over my chest. “And what’sthatsupposed to mean?”
My Mini was my pride and joy, andyes,she waspink.
Dante’s booming laugh rang out across the parking lot. “You fuckingdo,don’t you!”
Offense crept over me and took hold. I seared him with as much attitude as I could muster. “That’s rich coming from a douchebaggy Hummer owner!”
A deep, unbridled belly laugh exploded from his mouth. It took me off-guard. So carefree and wholesome, the sound threw me right back into drinking with him in Vegas and swinging wildly in his arms on the dance floor.
My fingers tightened on the strap of my overnight bag as a butterfly bomb imploded in my belly. I gulped back those memories before they turned me flustered.
“Penny, don’t you remember me telling you that it’s Tate’s Hummer? And yes, he’s as douchey as they come.”
Prickles of memory came to life. “Gah! I don't wanna talk about it,” I sassed.
Dante’s rolling laughter almost cracked my façade. I locked my lips together to stop any form of amusement from showing on those bad boys. I still had them pursed when Dante pointed his keys at a white Chevy nearby. The locks responded immediately.
“While I’m not a Hummer asshole, I sure as hell am aChevyasshole.”
When I arched a brow as if to say“See?”he shrugged. “What can I say? I like big shit, manly shit, and sexy shit.”
“Uh, huh.” I strode past with my chin held high.
The trunk hatch lifted on its own accord as I got closer. I tossed in my overnight bag, then turned back to Dante, suddenly unsure of what to do.
He gave me a lopsided grin. “Wanna ride shotgun?”
I scoffed. “Ass.”
His laughter lit my senses once more as I made my way to the passenger seat. Dante’s cologne filled the cab and made me want to lean a little closer.