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Evelyn followed her gaze, nodding like she was trying to absorb everything. “I can see why people love this,” she admitted. “There’s something nostalgic about it.”

Jo smiled. “Exactly.” She could already tell Evelyn was seeing the appeal, and Jo was glad she got to experience this with her. As they walked deeper into the show, Jo felt something different, something she hadn’t expected. Today wasn’t simply another casual day out. Today meant something, and amazingly, Jo wasn’t afraid of it.

Evelyn could not stop talking. She knew it, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. As Jo pulled out of the parking lot, Evelyn was still rattling off details about the cars they had seen. Details she never would have paid attention to before today. “And that Mustang—what year was it again? Sixty-seven?” she asked, turning toward Jo in the driver’s seat.

Jo grinned, shifting gears with an easy confidence. “Sixty-eight.”

“Right! The Fastback,” Evelyn said, nodding to herself. “I can’t believe how much I liked it. And that deep green color? Gorgeous.”

Amusement flickered in Jo’s brown eyes when she glanced at her. “Look at you,” she said. “Throwing around car knowledge like a pro.”

Laughing, Evelyn shook her head. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she said. “I still don’t know what half of those engine parts do.”

“Well, you were a pretty great student,” Jo said, letting out a low chuckle. “I think I might’ve converted you into a car person.”

Evelyn bit her lip, happiness spreading through her. She had been worried she wouldn’t fit into Jo’s world, but today had been amazing. Jo had been patient, explaining things without making her feel like an outsider. And the way she talked about cars, the way her entire face lit up when she discussed their history and mechanics, was sexy as hell. She shifted in her seat, suddenly aware of the quiet between them. The energy in the car had shifted from the excitement of the show to something softer, more intimate, and she definitely wasn’t ready for the day to be over.

Jo must have sensed it because she glanced over, one hand resting casually on the gear shift. “You hungry?” she asked. “We could grab some food before heading back.”

Evelyn hesitated, then shook her head. “Not hungry yet.” She hesitated again, choosing her words carefully. “But I wouldn’t mind doing something else before we head back.”

“Hmm,” Jo hummed, her fingers tapped against the steering wheel as she considered. “There’s a good coffee shop not far from here. We could grab something warm, and then…” She paused, meeting Evelyn’s eyes. “I was thinking about heading over to Roads End. It’s a quiet spot with a great view of the ocean. We could sit in the car for a bit, watch the waves. Maybe walk around if it’s not too cold.”

Feeling a wash of anxiety, Evelyn held her breath. It was a simple suggestion, but the idea of sitting in Jo’s car, parked somewhere relatively secluded, with nothing but the sound of the waves between them… The idea made her nervous, but excited too.And I came on this trip to get to know Jo better,she thought.This is my chance.“That sounds nice,” she said, keeping her voice steady even as her pulse quickened.

Jo nodded, and Evelyn noticed her grip on the wheel tightening slightly before she relaxed again. “Cool,” she said, her voice pitched low, sending another thrill through Evelyn. Notsure what else to say or do, she was relieved when Jo pulled into the lot of a small, charming café with a weathered wooden sign that read Driftwood Coffee Company. The place had a cozy, beach-town look with large windows reflecting the ocean in the distance and a few locals sitting outside with steaming mugs. Jo pulled up to the drive-thru window, where a young woman waited to take their order.

“What can I get you today?” she asked Jo.

“Black coffee,” she answered. “No sugar, no cream.”

“Of course you drink it black,” Evelyn said, wrinkling her nose.

With a smile, Jo chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re exactly the type of person I’d expect to drink black coffee,” Evelyn teased. “Strong, no-nonsense, probably thinks lattes are for amateurs.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jo was clearly amused. “And what are you getting?”

Pursing her lips, Evelyn scanned the menu before deciding. “A vanilla oat milk latte.”

Jo snorted a laugh. “Figures.”

Evelyn crossed her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Leaning in slightly, Jo lowered her voice. “You seem like the type who likes things a little sweet,” she said. “A little wholesome, but also a little fancy.”

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “Well, excuse me for having taste. Life’s too short to deny the simple pleasures.”

Pausing for a moment at her words, Jo held her gaze and then nodded before turning to the barista. “One black coffee,” she said. “And one vanilla oat milk latte, please.”

A few minutes later, they were on their way. Evelyn took a sip of her latte, sighing contentedly. “This is perfect,” she said. “A very good idea.”

“Told you,” Jo said with a smile. The view of the ocean drew closer, waves rolling in under the overcast sky. The sight of it made Evelyn’s breath catch. She glanced at Jo, who was focused on the road, her expression unreadable. The day was turning into something more than she had expected, and as much as it made her nervous, she definitely didn’t mind.

Nine

Jo shifted gears, the low purr of the GTO’s engine filling the quiet space between them as they wound their way up the coastal road toward Road’s End. The drive was smooth, the kind Jo usually found relaxing, but as the day moved slowly toward evening, there was a tension in her that had nothing to do with the road. She cut a glance at Evelyn, who cradled her coffee cup between her hands, her gaze flicking between the ocean and Jo. The sky had opened up a little, showing a touch of blue for a fleeting moment. Nothing but a tease, but it was enough to highlight Evelyn’s blonde hair and fair skin, making her look even more beautiful than Jo already thought she was. Plus, there was the undeniable chemistry between them that kept making Jo’s heart beat a little faster. If she was honest, all of it had her a little on edge. In a good way, but even that surprised her.It’s almost like I’m nervous,she thought.Like I’ve never taken a drive with a pretty woman before.That was the problem. Jo Fuller didn’t get nervous. She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t overthink things. But riding there, with Evelyn so close, Jo felt like she was standing on the edge of something she didn’t quite understand.