Page 27 of Runaway Road (Runaway 1)

“When I was sixteen and working alongside all these other teenagers who were reading Great Expectations and Shakespeare, it sure felt like I was stupid. But I worked hard in Boston and got my diploma.”

“Did you go to college?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Me neither.” I’d planned on college and following in my father’s footsteps, but then my life had taken a different path. The good thing was, I’d had some skills to fall back on. “My grandfather started Cohen’s Garage. He passed it down to me when he was ready to retire.”

“Not your father?”

“No, Dad’s a doctor.”

“You’re a car doctor instead.”

“Exactly.” I chuckled. “Any other wishes come true?”

“I used to wish for a home—a real home. That one came true in Boston, but then I realized a house and a husband and a paycheck didn’t mean I’d be happy.”

So she’d left it all behind. Was she still searching for a home? Or had she given that wish up? “Think you’ll have a home in California?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” She pushed up to sitting. “I might get a job. I might find somewhere new to live for a while. It’s not normal, but I think that nomadic lifestyle is more my style. I like the freedom. I didn’t realize it until I left Boston, but I was trapped there. I was in a cage.”

I sat up too. “So it’s you and your car exploring the country.” She’d take her home wherever she went.

“Well, the car is going to a friend. But I’ll get another. Maybe I’ll drive the new one around for the next year. Maybe I’ll hop on a plane and explore Europe or Australia or Asia. There’s a comfort for me, knowing it’s all my decision. I’m not obligated to live my life according to anyone else’s plan.”

“Huh.” I ran a hand through my hair. The idea of travel was exciting, but not having a home to return to seemed lonely to me. But again, we’d come from different worlds. Summers would always be my home.

“Sounds crazy, right?”

“Nah. Just different. I’ve lived in this town my entire life. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” I didn’t want to live anywhere else, and I was still a free man.

She gave me a sad smile. “I’m glad you have deep roots.”

“Me too.”

She held my gaze, enchanting me with every passing second. What a life she’d lived. What a story. And now she’d give in to her wanderlust and see the world. What an adventure it would be to go along for the ride.

Her eyes glowed green in the fading light. When we’d sat up, we’d shifted closer together. All I had to do was lean over and I could take her lips in a kiss. I’d thought about those soft lips a lot the past day, wondering what she’d taste like. Would she kiss me back? Or would she dump the rest of her curry over my head? Maybe I’d misread the blushes and shy smiles.

Londyn’s eyes dropped to my mouth. Fuck it. She was leaving and I might as well go for broke. I had just dipped low, brushing my lips against hers, when a car door slammed on the street behind us.

She jumped, breaking us apart.

Damn. The universe was telling me something. This woman, who’d be a memory before the week was out, was not for me.

“Probably better head home. It’s getting late.” I sighed, collecting my container and stacking hers on top. Then I stood, holding out a hand to help her up.

“Thanks.” She brushed off the seat of her shorts and I didn’t let myself look at her ass—much.

I stepped off the rock first, my bare feet sinking into the lush grass.

She hopped down behind me. “Thanks for not kicking me off your rock.”

“Anytime.”

“Good night, Brooks.” She waved, then started toward the motel.

I lifted my arm to wave goodbye. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.