Ignite

He smiled so big I couldn’t help but smile myself. “My name is Emmit also, sir. I’m gonna grow up and be a NASCAR driver like you.”

“Is that so? Well, Emmit, you’re starting off with the right name.”

His eyes lit up as he nodded his head. Glancing over to his parents, I asked, “Y’all live in the area?”

The father cleared his throat and stumbled upon his words at first. “Um . . . we ah . . . yes sir . . . Mr. Lewis, we do.”

“Call me Emmit.” Pointing toward a notebook he was holding for me to sign, I asked, “Need me to sign that as well?”

With a grin from ear to ear, the father said, “Yes please!”

As I signed, I flipped the page and wrote down the number to my assistant, Stephanie. “This is my assistant’s direct number. Why don’t y’all give her a call sometime after tomorrow. I think we can arrange a little meeting so that I can give Emmit here some pointers.”

The little boys mouth dropped open as he said, “Shut the front door.”

With a laugh, I ruffled up his hair and gave him a pat then handed the notebook back to the dad. “I like you already kid. Y’all have a great night.”

“You too, Emmit! You’re the best!” the little boy called out as his parents both said goodnight.

By the time I made it to my bus, I was sure poor Lola had to piss like a racehorse. Johnny’s mom would have come and picked him up over an hour ago.

The door to my bus was unlocked as I let out a frustrated sigh. Fuck, I hoped there is no one in there waiting in my bed like the last time Johnny forgot to lock up before he left.

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath as I pulled the door open and jumped up inside the bus.

“Holy fuck!” Adaline screamed as she jumped backward and tripped over something. Sending her straight to the floor.

“Addie!” I said as I ran over to her. “Shit, what in the hell are you doing in my bus?”

Looking up at me, she had a confused look on her face. “You . . . you told me not to leave so . . . well, I thought you wanted to—”

Adaline quickly stood up. “I’m sorry, I guess I misunderstood and then I walked over to your bus by mistake thinking it was Dad’s, and Kristin suggested I make you dinner . . . and then I thought maybe we were both going to apologize for fighting earlier and little Johnny was here . . . we went shopping. Oh, and um . . . I think Lola hates me because she won’t stop staring at me so I tried to take her for a walk, she got loose, but I got her! She actually listens really well, but she did give me a run for my money out there around some of the buses. She actually came back to me when I fell and she even licked my knee, so maybe she does like me after all. I’m not really sure.”

My eyes widened as I tried to keep up with what Adaline was saying. Putting my finger up to her lips, I shook my head. “What in the hell are you trying to say?”

Adaline pulled her lip in between her teeth as she shook her head and said, “I don’t know. I’m nervous as hell for some reason.”

My eyes landed on her soft lush lips. I’d give anything to kiss them. “Why are you nervous, Addie?”

Adaline’s eyes lit up as she licked her lips and narrowed in on mine.

I leaned closer to her as her chest rose and fell a little more. “I made you dinner.”

Lifting my eyebrows, I took in a deep breath through my nose and let out a low moan. “Holy living hell. Is that alfredo sauce I smell?”

Adaline’s smile about knocked me off my feet. “Yep!”

Tilting my head, I wondered if Adaline felt the pull as much as I did. “You made me my favorite. Why?”

Adaline’s chest heaved as her breathing increased. Oh yeah. She felt it just as much as I did.

“I love y—I mean I know it’s your favorite.”

I swallowed hard as I tried to control my breathing. I didn’t dare dream she was about say she loved me. Letting her go, I turned and lifted the lid off the sauce and groaned. “Damn that smells good.”

“Um, why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll get everything ready for you.”

I gently took a hold of her arm and asked, “You’re eating with me, right?”