Page 29 of The Ruthless Note

“Thanks. She was a fixer-upper. Worth every dime I sank into her.” He climbs out of the car and opens the door for me.

“Such a gentleman.”

“Rick would kill me if I was anything else.”

I sit in the passenger seat, my gut churning and my pulse fluttering.

Okay. Thisfeelsdate-like.

“Ready to go?” Hunter asks, getting into the car and flashing me a handsome grin.

My heart pounding, I nod.

As he drives past Redwood Prep, I notice Dutch walking out of school. His amber eyes narrow when he sees me in Hunter’s car. The muscle in his jaw pops.

I feel a strange urge to hide, like I’m doing something wrong. But that’s ridiculous. I’m single and unattached. Even if I wasn’t, it’s not like I owe anyone—especially not Dutch—an explanation.

Hunter grins over at me. “Your uniform is cute.”

“Thanks.” I shake off the look on Dutch’s face and try to focus on Hunter. “What are you thinking to get for Rick?”

“I don’t know. Something he’ll actually use, I guess.” He runs a hand through his hair and then leans that hand against the door.

Hunter has tattoos too, but they’re not as chaotic as Dutch’s. His tats are of a simple angel wing along with some numbers.

“What’s our budget?” I ask.

He smirks boyishly. “Cheaper the better. I’m a lowly mechanic’s assistant, you know. We’re not rolling in the dough.”

I laugh. Hunter laughs too, his brown eyes twinkling. When the sun hits them, the color turns to warm cinnamon. Unlike Dutch’s eyes. Even in the darkness, Dutch’s eyes glow like a predator’s, golden honey with flecks of black and…

Why am I thinking about Dutch when I’m supposed to be with Hunter?

I clasp my hands together. “You smell good for someone who works with car oil all day.”

“I showered twice. And I used a new spray.” He chuckles.

I inhale. The scent flowing from him is quite aggressive. Unlike Dutch’s cool and crisp fragrance. For someone so overpowering, Dutch smells like a spring rain.

Damn it.

I’m thinking about Dutch again.

I put up a mental block and force myself to focus on Hunter for the rest of the ride.

A few minutes later, we browse around the mall. I’ve never shopped for a guy before and I’m starting to wonder if Hunter made a mistake asking for my help. I’m completely out of my element.

“Young lady, would you and your boyfriend like to try out this perfume sampler?” A clerk in front of a store waves us down.

I quickly correct her. “We’re not dating.”

She blinks. “Oh. Well… you can still check it out.”

I shake my head and we move on.

“You madethatpretty clear.” Despite the playful grin on his face, Hunter stares at me intently.

I let loose a nervous chuckle. “Look over there. That store is having a sale on work boots. We should check it out.”