Page 22 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

That boy, what? I waited for her to explain, but she only pulled out white Styrofoam containers from the plastic sacks.

“Now I know you might want to disappear into that room of yours.” She clicked her tongue. “But if I could make a suggestion?”

“Sure.” I collected my meal and a plastic fork.

“There’s a nice place to sit behind the motel. It’s a rock, so if you’re not into nature, then forget it. But it overlooks the lake and you’ll get a nice view of the sunset.”

“I’m good with nature. Thank you.”

“No problem. Technically, it’s my neighbor’s rock. But since I’m buyin’ his dinner, I doubt he’ll mind if you borrow it for a night. Now out you go before that curry gets cold.”

“Thanks again, Meggie.”

She winked, then followed me out the door. As we rounded the corner of the building, she pointed to the rock past a cluster of trees. “See you tomorrow.”

I waved goodbye as she strode across the lawn to her neighbor’s house. It was a two-story white home, not new but well maintained. It wasn’t fancy, but it was nice. Really nice. Especially with the wide porch that stretched along its front with delicate spindles along the rail. Meggie didn’t bother knocking as she marched up to the front door and let herself inside.

What a character. I laughed, turning my attention to the lake.

The rock was easy to spot once I got closer, and Meggie hadn’t lied. It was enormous and nearly as long as a picnic table.

It stood about a foot off the ground and I stepped up, settling into the flat surface with my meal on my lap. I was no stranger to eating food perched on my legs. The curry spice and fresh jasmine rice filled my nose as I opened the container.

“Oh my God,” I moaned with that first bite. Meggie hadn’t lied. This was good curry.

I heaped another bite on my fork, brought it to my mouth, then proceeded to fling the food into the air as a voice came from behind me.

“I see Meggie gave away my favorite dinner table.”

A grain of rice lodged in my windpipe. I coughed, choking and my eyes watering, as Brooks rushed over.

“Shit.” He slapped me on the back, then rubbed up and down my spine.

I coughed again, managing to dislodge the rice and swallow. My eyes were blurry and my heart was racing when I finally managed to suck in a deep breath.

“Sorry. Thought you heard me walk up.”

“No.” I put a hand to my chest, taking in more air. “It’s okay.”

His hand stilled on my spine. “Good?”

“I’m okay.” Convenient that Meggie hadn’t mentioned Brooks was her neighbor.

I closed the lid on my dinner, setting it aside to stand, but Brooks waved me down. “Stay.”

“Oh, no. I can eat in my room.”

“This is a big rock. Mind if we share it?” he asked.

“Uh, no.”

“Good.” He grinned, creating a flutter in my chest. Who grinned like that? Only one corner of his mouth turned up, and wow but it was sexy.

Brooks settled on the rock about a foot away, stretching his long legs toward the water. Then I saw why I hadn’t heard him approach. He was in bare feet.

Just as sexy as that grin.

He opened his dinner container, closing his eyes as he drew in the smell. When he opened his eyes, he gazed out over the rippled water. “That sure is a good view.”