Page 32 of Drive Me Wild (Owl Creek #2)
T his morning started out so good. Even though I didn’t stay the night with Zoe, memories of her sweet kisses lulled me to sleep. And this morning, I got a call from a tour company asking me to start servicing their vans on contract.
Not only is my business growing, but my life is looking rosy. Or at least it was until Laura showed up in my shop.
She was dressed in a tight skirt and see-through top without a jacket, and I thought the teenager was going to lose his eyesight he was bugging out so badly.
It didn’t take long for her to start in on me. First, she tried flattery, then she tried guilt, and then back to flattery before she looked like she was going to pitch a fit. Honestly, I don’t know where she gets the nerve.
She knew the score—no strings, no attachments.
Apparently, my decision to change the rules with another woman when I see fit doesn’t sit well with her.
Too bad, but at least I got her to leave.
Almost.
She’s upstairs using the toilet before she drives back to Port Stratton, and I can’t wait until she’s gone for good. Honestly, the way she’s been acting all morning made me wonder why I found her attractive in the first place.
I’m talking the teenager through a brake replacement while I wait for her to leave when I see Zoe pull into the parking lot. Her face looks flushed, and she just sits there, looking through her windshield blankly as I walk toward her.
I open her car door, and she looks up at me with bloodshot eyes.
“Hey, hey,” I unbuckle her seat belt and pull her into me. “What happened?”
She grips my coveralls, holding me tight. “The bank isn’t going to loan me the money, and they told me it’s a waste of time trying to get anyone else to either.”
“Did they look at your business plan?”
“Yes, but I don’t have any credit, and I don’t have enough for a down payment.”
Zoe starts to shake as she buries her face in my neck. I’m too busy comforting her to notice that Laura has come out of my apartment and is standing inside the shop.
“Since you’re busy being domestic, I’ll just see myself out.”
Zoe stiffens in my arms before she turns her head to look at Laura.
“What…what is she doing here?”
“I’m reminding him of the mistake he’s making.”
Laura flips her hair back and looks at Zoe with what I can only describe as a condescending grin before she gets in her SUV and leaves.
Zoe pulls away and steps toward her car. “I have to go.”
“Wait, Zoe.”
“No.”
She slides inside quickly, locking the door after her. I feel helpless as I watch her face contort, tears falling down her cheeks. She starts her car, pulls out of the parking lot right after Laura, and drives toward her apartment.
“Hey, boss, you want me to watch the shop while you go after her?”
“I don’t…I don’t even know if she’ll talk to me.”
“Only one way to find out. I’m fine here for another hour.”
I look at the teenager, suddenly seeing a maturing young man.
“Thanks, Clint. I’ll be back by the time you need to leave.”
I race over to Zoe’s place but see she isn’t there when I get down the driveway. Cole and Renée are gone, too, so I have no one to ask where she is.
I sit in the driveway for a few minutes before sending her a text.
Me: I’m at your place. I want to talk. Where are you? Laura was only using the bathroom after I told her I never wanted to see her again. Please Zoe. Nothing happened.
I wait for a few minutes, but she doesn’t reply, so I pull out my notepad, scribble a note to her, and tape it to her door.
Now I’m sitting in my truck, feeling like an asshole. Why didn’t I tell Laura to scram when I saw her? Why didn’t I tell Zoe she was there?
My phone chirps with an alert. I feel it in my gut when I pick it up and read it.
Zoe: I’m heading to Downsville. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to talk.
At least I know she’s going home. But what if she decides to stay? What if she gives up on her dream? What if she gives up on me?
There’s nothing I can do, so I go back to the garage. Clint finished the brakes, so I inspected them and let him go for the day. It’s better to sulk in silence anyway.