Take Me There, page 7
“You headed into work?” he asked. I nodded. He lifted his chin, nudging it forward. “You’re up.”
“Oh!” I squeaked again, turning and hurrying to the counter. “Hey, Cammi,” I said as soon as I got there, willing my cheeks to cool.
I was a blusher of the worst kind. Fortunately, it was Cammi. Even if she hadn’t been friendly and invited me to dinner the other night, I knew she wasn’t the kind of person to tease. Not in front of others. She was simply nice, the nicest, really.
“Good morning, Skylar. Do you want to try something new? I have a new thing.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a double shot espresso with my new syrup.”
“What kind of syrup?” I asked suspiciously.
“I promise it’s not too sweet,” she said with a warm smile.
“You know me. I definitely don’t like a lot of sweet in my coffee,” I said, shaking my head quickly.
“I know. You want to try it?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Do you need anything for food? Daphne delivered orange cranberry scones, which are completely amazing, and savory pinwheels. Today we have spinach and swiss, or ham and swiss. Take your pick.”
“I’ll have one of the scones and a spinach pinwheel. I need both sweet and savory this morning.”
“I’ll take both too,” Tucker said from my side.
I practically jumped at the sound of his voice. Scooting to the side, I created some distance between us. “I can get yours this morning,” he added.
“No need.” Apparently, all I could do was squeak whenever I spoke to Tucker this morning.
“You can get mine next time,” he pressed.
“I’ve never seen you here,” I blurted out.
“Yeah, well, Cammi just opened for this season a few weeks ago. Trust me. You will see me here almost every freaking day. This is where I get my coffee on the way in.”
“You don’t have coffee out at the lodge?” I asked.
“Daphne is amazing with food, but Cammi’s coffee is better,” Tucker said simply.
Cammi smiled warmly. “Thank you. I know what your usual is.” She winked before she turned around and began prepping our drinks.
“What’s your usual?” I asked.
“A shot in the dark.”
“What’s that?”
“Her dark coffee with a shot of espresso. I need the caffeine to last me all day since I’ll be in the air.”
“How late do you fly?”
“Until it’s too dark to be in the sky. Nora’s got me landing at—” He lifted his phone, tapping the screen and scrolling with his thumb. “Five-thirty. Just before sunset. She switched it up so I can go to yoga class out at the lodge.”
“Because it’s good for you,” Cammi called over.
“Who covers your later flights that day?”
“Trey Holden.”
He was referring to an attorney and an occasional pilot who I’d only met once when he stopped by to drop off a delivery for a client across the bay. “Oh, right. He flies for you all sometimes. It’s nice you all have the yoga class out at the lodge. I’ve gone to Gemma’s class a few times in town. She’s great.”
“Here’s your coffee, Skylar,” Cammi called, sliding the paper cup across the counter to me.
Tucker slapped down a bill when I started to pull my wallet out. I felt uncertain. This was a thing I did not know how to handle. Even before I’d cut dating out of my life, I’d preferred to pay for everything. I didn’t want to rely on anyone for anything.
“Tucker,” I warned.
“Skylar, trust me. I get coffee for all my friends. We trade off all the time.”
“He does,” Cammi said when she handed over his coffee.
She gave Tucker his change, which he stuffed in the tip jar. He stepped to the side while she took the orders for the next in line. She started prepping their coffees and then called our names to hand over our scones and savories in two different paper bags.
I was standing there, wondering what to say next, so I sipped my coffee. “Thank you,” I finally said.
“You’re up tomorrow.” He threw me a grin, and my belly shimmied.
“Are you sure I’m going to see you?”
“If not tomorrow, soon. Next time you see me, you’re up. How’s that?”
“All right.” I didn’t wait and bolted across the parking lot, quickly getting in my car and taking a gulp from my coffee. I shouldn’t have been this flustered, but it was all because of that stupid kiss. I took a deep breath and started driving. Only moments later, I realized Tucker was right behind me. Of course, he was going to the same place.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I muttered.
He was probably going to park right beside me. I would just ignore him.
Chapter Thirteen
Tucker
I followed Skylar to the airport, telling myself it was no big deal that it felt like my body had been lit on fire simply by standing near her. This reaction would pass. It had to.
Of course, I also hadn’t forgotten that kiss and kept wondering what Skylar meant when she told me not to ruin it.
I ended up parking right beside her because it was the natural place to park. It was directly across from one of the hangars for Walker Adventures. Not to mention, there weren’t very many parking spots. I found myself waiting at the back of her car.
She climbed out, asking, “Has anyone noticed my cargo thing?”
I chuckled. “Nope. I told you nobody was going to notice. Honestly, by the time someone notices, they’ll think it was there all along.”
Skylar eyed me dubiously. “If it’s a problem, let me know.”
“It’s not going to be a problem.”
She nodded and took a swallow of coffee.
“What did you mean when you said don’t ruin this?” My question slipped out.
Her eyes went wide, and she sputtered on a swallow of coffee. She yanked a tissue out of her purse and wiped the coffee off her chin. “Why did you do that?” she demanded.
“I was just asking a question.”
“Your timing was really bad. Don’t ask awkward questions when someone just took a sip of something,” she muttered.
“Point taken.” I waited.
A few beats ticked by, and she replied, “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Forget the kiss. Forget what I said.” Her words rushed out.
Before I had a chance to say anything else, she turned and actually ran across the parking lot, disappearing a moment later through the door into the building where she worked.
Even though I wanted to follow her, I didn’t. I knew Ludie and Dan would be there. There was nowhere to ask her that question privately. Considering her response, I suppose I’d have to take it for what it was.
My day was busy, which was a good thing. It kept my mind occupied. Except twice, Skylar’s throaty, melodic voice came through the radio. The sound slid like lava through my veins. There was no way I was going to forget that kiss.
I pondered Daphne’s comments the other day and wondered.
Chapter Fourteen
Skylar
After the last plane landed that day, it started drizzling, and I cursed the sky. I had an appointment for my car, and I was supposed to drop it off tonight at the mechanic shop. Whatever.
Ludie and Dan had already left for the day. I closed up shop and raced over to the mechanic shop, dropping off my keys, signing for my car, and hurrying out. It was maybe a fifteen-minute walk to my apartment from here. I could make it, and the rain would be on my side.
About five minutes into my walk, the sky opened, and the equivalent of a bucket was dumped onto me. I was drenched within seconds. I tightened my jacket around my shoulders pointlessly and lowered my head as I walked into the rain, ignoring the cars that drove by.
I kept telling myself the walk really wasn’t that far. I heard the sound of a vehicle approaching from behind and then slowing. I kept my face trained on the pavement in front of me, watching as the rain struck the surface and water splashed up.
“Skylar!” a voice called through the din.
I couldn’t help it. I ended up looking to the side. It was Tucker. Fuck.
“Get in,” he ordered.
“I’m fine. I’m just walking home.”
“It’s pouring. Get in the truck,” he pressed.
“Really, it’s okay,” I lied because I was miserable and soaking wet and freezing cold.
I was also insanely stubborn about being independent and not needing anyone for anything. I certainly didn’t need a ride in the rain. I could handle the walk.
“Either you get in, or I’m driving five miles an hour beside you, all the way back to your place,” he called through the rain.
He couldn’t see my face well, but I rolled my eyes and sighed. When I started to pull my hands out of my pockets, I realized they were already at the point of numbness where they didn’t even work very well. My hand slipped when I reached for the door handle. He pushed the door open from the inside.
I scrambled in, slamming the door shut and sitting there, feeling like a drowned kitten.
“What the hell, Skylar?” Tucker demanded.
His truck was warm and dry inside. I couldn’t even talk over the chattering of my teeth. He turned the heat up, blasting it at top speed and angling every vent along the dashboard in my direction.
“Next time you need a ride somewhere, just text me. If I’m not in the air, I’ll come pick you up.”
“I wa-wa-wa-was f-f-f-f-ine.” I managed to get three words out through my chattering teeth. I finally risked a glance at him, expecting to see annoyance.
He simply looked concerned. “You’re freezing, Skylar. Why are you walking home when you have a car?”
Shivering, I took a breath. “I scheduled an appointment for maintenance. There’s a recall, and they told me it was essential.” The heat was filtering through enough I could speak.
“And you just walked home, and you’re going to walk into work tomorrow?” he asked as he put his truck into gear and began driving.
“It’s not that far,” I protested.
“You know, this isn’t about you being a woman. I just want to make that point first. I am all about walking when you can enjoy the fresh air and the amazing view. But for fuck’s sake, it’s awful out. If Ludie finds out you didn’t ask her for a ride, she is going to give you some hell.”
“Well, she won’t know as long as you don’t tell her,” I managed to retort. Although I sounded kind of ridiculous because my teeth were still chattering between every word.
Tucker trained his eyes on the road and drove. The rain was coming down so fast his windshield was a blur of water, and the wipers could barely keep up. He gestured toward it as if reading my mind. “It’s fucking pouring out.”
“Obviously, I know that.” I uncurled my hands and held them in front of the heater. I was shaking all over.
“You live above Midnight Sun Arts Gallery, right?”
“Yeah, thank you for stopping.”
“Anytime. You only owe me one thing in return.”
Disappointment pierced me. I was used to people who always wanted something, but I hadn’t thought Tucker was like that. “Next time you need a ride, tell me. Short notice, in advance, whatever. That’s all I ask.”
“Sure,” I lied.
He wouldn’t know when I needed a ride. I would just lie about it. Only minutes later, Tucker came to a stop in front of the gallery, glancing my way. “I’ll walk you up.”
“I don’t need—” I began.
He shook his head. “Oh, no, I’m walking you up. I’m still afraid you’re on the verge of hypothermia.”
I didn’t even have it in me to argue. I was too cold and wet. Moments later, we were standing in the hallway, and I was dripping water all over the floor. I couldn’t get my hands to make my key fit in the lock.
After the third try, Tucker said, “Let me try.”
The brush of his hand against mine when he took the keys from me was warm, and his voice was gruff. Mere seconds later, we were in my apartment, and he looked at me.
“I’m worried you’re hypothermic.”
“I’m not.” I tried to sound insistent, but when your teeth were chattering, nothing came out very well.
“I’m not leaving until you’re showered and dry, and you’re not shivering,” he said flatly.
“Are you serious?” I sputtered, still shivering from head to toe.
“That, or I’m taking you into the hospital.”
“What?!” That galvanized me, and I threw my wet jacket off.
He caught it deftly and hung it on the coat rack by the door. He rested his hands on his hips as he arched a brow and looked at me.
“Oh, my god,” I muttered.
I turned and walked directly into the bathroom. It felt weird to have him here, so I closed the door and locked it. Even when I was alone, I locked my bathroom door. That was a habit from my foster care days.
I was trembling all over as I peeled my clothes off. The relief that came when the steaming water ran over me was profound. I didn’t know if I really was bordering on hypothermia, but it took several minutes before I was actually warm in that shower. I finally felt a sense of relief and could actually hold the soap in my hand.
I didn’t know how long I was in the shower because my phone was in my coat pocket, which was out in the living room. I had my composure back by the time I was done.
I toweled off only to discover I didn’t have any dry clothes in here. Fuck. I snagged my robe off the hook on the wall, a thick, terry cloth robe. I shrugged into it and belted it tightly. It was actually Emily’s and came all the way down to my ankles. I felt sheepish as I stepped out of the bathroom.
Tucker was looking at his phone where he sat on a chair at the small table in the kitchen. He glanced up, his eyes scanning over me. “You look warmer.”
I figured my skin was already flushed. Thank goodness because the mere sound of his voice sent a wash of heat through me. “I am. I don’t know if I was hypothermic, but thank you for the ride home. I was freezing, and it took longer than I expected to warm up in that shower.”
He smiled, just barely. “I’ve been hypothermic. I don’t know if you were either, but I know the signs. This kind of weather is the worst for it.”
“It is?” I crossed over and fetched my phone out of my coat pocket.
“Yeah. More people die of hypothermia in the spring and fall than in the middle of the winter. People are usually more prepared for the cold in the winter.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that. I grew up in California. It’s not very cold there.”
“I think you should eat next,” he said.
“I can feed myself,” I muttered, feeling defensive.
He studied me quietly. “I checked your fridge. You have half a carton of milk and two eggs. How about I order some pizza?”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he beat me to it. “I’m not leaving until you’re fed.”
“Jesus, you’re bossy. I’m gonna get dressed.”
I flounced out of the room if one can flounce with wet hair and a robe that’s too big.
I closed and locked my bedroom door. I quickly pulled on a pair of clean, dry sweatpants and a giant fleece top. I was going for my most comfortable and most baggy option. Hopefully, also unattractive. That was my entire goal.
A moment later, I took a deep breath in front of my bedroom door before walking out. I could handle this. Tucker was just being a nice guy.
“What kind of pizza would you like?” he asked as soon as I appeared.
“Whatever you want.”
“We can get whatever I want, but what do you want?”
That was another habit that Emily used to give me hell about. When you’re in foster care, you try to make yourself as small and as unobtrusive as possible. You didn’t want any of your needs or wants to be too much. So, if a family liked pizza with green peppers and onions, which I hated, by the way, you just went with it, and you didn’t pick it off either.
“Um, I like bacon and pineapple or lots of mushrooms.”
The second Tucker smiled, my belly went a little insane, practically doing gymnastics inside, and my pulse galloped off wildly, kicking and bucking.
“Let’s do half and half. I like bacon and pineapple, and I’ll eat mushrooms too.”
“You don’t have to eat mushrooms. Let’s just get bacon and pineapple,” I said quickly.
“Nope. You said you like mushrooms, so you’re gonna get the best of both worlds.”
Another second later, he was on the phone ordering. He also ordered breadsticks and an extra bacon and pineapple pizza. As soon as he hung up, I said, “There’s no way we can eat all that.”
“I’ll bring the leftovers out to the lodge. Everyone will love it,” he said easily.
I didn’t like this feeling, but I felt a tiny pang of jealousy. Even though I knew they were all friends, they felt like a family. It was the kind of place I’d always wanted in my life, where everybody cared about each other and teased each other. A place where you could have faith you’d be welcome. It was safe.
Brushing those thoughts away, I nodded. “Do you want something to drink?” I asked.
“Water will do. I’m not a fan of milk,” he teased.
My cheeks got hot as I sighed. “I haven’t been to the store lately. I’m not the greatest about shopping. I usually just pick up something from the deli at the grocery store.”
“Well, you better not tell Daphne, or she’ll insist that you come out for dinner every night.”
“Oh, I can’t do that,” I said quickly.
“You could, and it would be fine,” Tucker said, his gaze entirely serious.
