Page 25 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“You.”

“No. It’s something else. What have you been up to today? Did you get good news or something?”

“Kind of. Parker stopped by the apartment today to ask if the rumor was true.”

“Parker?” I said, wrinkling my nose.

Travis laughed. “That’s the reaction I hoped you’d have. He wasn’t happy when I confirmed.”

“Ugh, who cares?”

Travis’s smile grew even wider. “He said the new was going to wear off and you were going to leave me. But that look on your face when you saw me a few minutes ago? Just blew his theory out of the water.”

He lowered me to the asphalt next to our car and dug into his pocket for the keys.

“America heard the same today. That no one believed you would marry me.”

He looked appalled. “I’m not calling America a liar but there is zero chance anyone thinks that. No one thinks I deserve you, Pidge. And they’re not wrong.”

“The sorority girls, do, apparently.”

“The sorority girls voted Lexi as their Chapter President and she can’t get past remedial math.”

I burst into laughter for a moment before frowning. “How do you know that?”

“They were talking about it in class. Here,” he said, handing me the keys.

“What do you want me to do with these?”

“Your turn to drive.”

“Me? No,” I said, shaking my head.

He snorted. “Pigeon. You've gotta learn some time.”

“I know how to drive. I just don’t like to.”

“What if I’m at work and you need to get somewhere?” He opened the driver’s side door and gestured for me to get in.

I pushed the door closed. “Then I’ll drive. But you’re not at work, you’re ... Hey, did you find a job?”

“Not yet. I called a guy. I don’t think it’s going to work out, though.”

The mist turned into droplets that grew louder with every passing second.

“Why not?” I asked.

Travis opened the door again. “Get in the car, Pidge. It’s going to start pouring any second.” My brow arched, and he sighed. “They’re hiring at Iron E.”

“Don’t you work out there? You like that place.”

“Baby, get in the fucking car. You’re getting soaked.”

I started to walk toward the front, but he reached for my arm to stop me.

“I’m not driving in the rain, Trav. C’mon. I’ll drive tomorrow.”

He frowned. “Fine.”