Page 151 of Pretty Mess

“Are you sure? That would be lovely if you could drop me off. I’ve got to get ready for work, and that’ll knock some time off.”

“I’ll do more than that. Mr Reilly has put me at your disposal, so I’ll wait and take you to work.”

“Really?” She turns to Mac. “Thank you.” He nods, and she holds her hand out. “It was very nice to meet you, Cormac.”

He takes her hand. “The pleasure was all mine.”

“Really?”

His mouth ticks up. “Well, I happen to enjoy a good interrogation, so, yes.”

“What?” I say urgently, but they ignore me, watching each other instead.

Then her face softens, and she squeezes his hand. “You’ll do. See you soon, Cormac.” She dimples at him and then climbs into the car. It pulls away, leaving Mac and me facing each other.

He cocks his head. “Happy?”

I consider that. “More relieved, to be honest. At some points over the years, finishing seemed very far off.”

“Ah, that’s university for you.”

I gesture between us. “So, I can’t help noticing that you’ve been left without a car.”

His mouth quirks. “It’s heartening to see that your usual superior powers of observation are still on point.”

“Fancy a ride on the tube?”

He stares at me. “To go where?”

“Who knows? Isn’t that the fun of it? You can help me celebrate,” I say, feeling suddenly bold.

“I might have a better idea.”

“Oh yes?” My breath catches at the wide smile he gives me. It’s warm and somehow innocent, and I feel a powerful wave of protectiveness flow over me. He shouldalwayssmile like that.

He nods and gestures to a nearby car. “How about we take this one?” It’s an old dark green Jaguar E-Type with its top down.

My eyes narrow. “And is that your car, or are you inviting me on a crime spree? Because I don’t wish to celebrate my degree behind bars.”

He throws his head back, laughing, and I stare at him, my heart in my mouth at how beautiful he is. The laughter softens his whole face, his eyes crinkling in amusement. Then he sobers. “And if it is a crime spree? What then?”

I shrug. “I’d still do it if it meant spending any time with you.”

His laughter dies, and he steps towards me, but to my disappointment, he stops before touching me. “Well, luckily for you, thisismy car.”

I gape at him. “You drive?” I drift closer to the car, trailing my fingers over the shiny paintwork. “It’s gorgeous.”

“It was my father’s.” I sneak a glance at him, but he’s looking at the car. His smile has lost a bit of its power. “I’ve kept it, and I do drive. Life didn’t always gift me with Robert.”

“One day, you’ll have to tell me about your father.” I bite my lip, regretting I’ve voiced an assumption that we’ll still be speaking one day.

“I will.” He hesitates, his gaze flicking from me to the car in a way that almost looks nervous. “I thought I would take you away to celebrate, Wes.”

“What?”

He nods. “Yes, if that would be okay with you?”

I lick my lips. “How long for?”