Page 12 of That Summer

She let out a heavy sigh, but listened to him all the same and opened her eyes.

“I’m right here.” He squatted down beside her. “Maybe that’s it for today? You’ve done so well. It’s been a helluva day. We can attempt this another time.”

Delicately, her head moved from side to side.

“Hmm… okay.” He reached for her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles. “How about I roll down the window first, before I close it?”

She couldn’t move.

Cold air replaced his warmth as he stood. “I’m going over to my side now.”

Turning her head, she followed him around the vehicle and watched as he slipped behind the wheel. Putting the key into the ignition, he twisted it just enough to power up the dash and roll the windows down. With a quick turn, he twisted the key back and pulled it most of the way out, leaving it dangling.

A second or two later, he was back at her side. “You hanging in there still?”

I think I can do this.

Breathe.

It’s all good. We’re safe. Car’s not moving.

The thumbs up sign slowly took form in her right hand.

Lucas shut the passenger door, but never moved away.

In rapt fascination, she focused on his hands. They were much rougher and dirtier-looking than Nate’s. His hands were soft.

A slow nod, and he sprinted around the driver side door, slipping once again behind the wheel. “All good?”

She inhaled a large amount of air.

I think so.

“Before I even start this up, I need some kind of sign. Words. Signal. A nod. Something.”

Give me a minute.

She looked around. All was good. Totally safe. She was breathing. Seatbelt on. She was still alive. Lucas sat beside her. Death wasn’t here, at least not that she could tell. However, she was still in the parking lot.

Damn.

She’d hoped she would’ve been transported to the pub magically. Turning her head gently to the left, she said. “Let’s. Do. This.”

“Alrighty.”

Without taking her focus off him, the engine roared to life, and she instinctively gripped the arm rest with her right while her left flew frantically through the air.

A warm hand wrapped around it. “I’ve got you.”

Her stomach flipped and her vision went blurry.

“Maybe we should try this another day?”

She shook her head. “Give me a minute.” A slow breath did nothing to tame the wild acceleration of her heart. “Go.”

“Go?” His grey-blues questioned and his head tipped.

“Yes.” She let go of his hand as he moved it toward the shifter.