Page 29 of Chasing Stardust

“Seriously? Atlanta?” Dread sets in. “How long will that take?”

“Oh . . . not long. We can probably have them in by noon tomorrow.”

“I-I guess I can hang out here for another day.” I look at Dash, and he nods along with me. I hope the Betty has armadillo coverage. “I’ll have my grandma call her insurance—”

“But . . .” The voice cuts me off again. “With the holiday comin’ up, it’ll likely be Tuesday before we can crack ’er open.”

“Tuesday?” My insides plummet and the blood drains from my face, leaving me cold. “What am I supposed to do in Hicksville for a whole week with no money?”

“Well . . . the town puts on a pretty good fireworks show for the Fourth. And Memphis ain’t that far away, if you can get a ride.”

“Of course.” If I had a ride, I wouldn’t need the stupid car to begin with. I sink deeper into the booth and let my head fall against the seat back with a groan. “I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?”

He doesn’t say anything, and I can almost see him shrugging into the phone.

“Can I at least come get my charger and my pillow while I wait?” If I’m going to be stuck in this diner for a week, I’d at least like my favorite pillow with me. And that’s if they don’t kick me into the street for loitering.

“Sure thing. Come on over and get it.”

“Thanks.” I end the call with no clue how I’ll get to Mack’s, or what I’ll do in this one-horse town for the next week. I still haven’t called G-Lo to tell her about her car.

Dash gives me a sympathetic smile.

“So . . .” I tap my toe to the rhythm of my pulse as I contemplate the inevitable. “I guess your car is all charged up by now?”

He nods, still wearing the unreadable expression from earlier.

“Thanks again for letting me use your phone.” Sighing, I pass it back to him. “And for warning me about Travis. And for not letting anyone steal my stuff while I slept.” I let out a hollow laugh. “Too bad you weren’t in Cleveland.”

“Right?” He shreds the napkin in his hands, then grabs another one and starts over. “I’ve been thinking . . .”

“At least one of us has.” I lay my cheek on the cool table and stare into the crowded dining room. Mom would’ve had a backup plan.

“No, really, listen.” He wads the napkin confetti and chucks it at my head. “Memphis is just over an hour from here. If that.”

“Great.” I snort. “Close enough to Uber. If I had my wallet. Or my charger—”

“No.” He exhales. “You’re not getting what I’m saying.”

His frustration piques my interest, and I lift my head. “I guess not. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying . . .” He rakes long fingers through his dark waves. “I could take you there. If you like.”

“Why?” Somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain, a warning light flickers and then goes out. What are you cooking up in that gorgeous head of yours?

He pins me with a solemn look. “You promised your mom you’d spread her ashes.”

“So?” With my brain finally firing on all cylinders, I pick apart his body language.

“So it’s on my way. And . . .” He shrugs. “It might be nice to have some company, even for a little while.”

The adventurous part of my brain that somehow convinced me to climb behind the wheel of G-Lo’s car not twenty-four hours ago perks up. But the rational voice in my head tells me not to get my hopes up.

“Let me get this straight. You’re saying you want to drive me to Memphis—which is on your way. Then bring me back here—which is definitely out of your way if you’re heading west. Just so I can spread my mom’s ashes?”

He bobs his head a few times, lips twitching with the threat of a smile. “Sounds about right.”

The idea should thrill me, and yesterday it definitely would have, but after the events of the past twenty-four hours, I can’t help but wonder about his motives.