“D-Days?” I finally manage to spit out.
Cherry is about a ten-minute walk from one end to the other down the main street. Not somewhere anyone in their right mind would or even should spend any longer than they have to.
“There’s nothing in Cherry,” I say in disbelief. Looking around I wonder if this is the part where I’m pranked.
But no.
He’s legit.
“I want a few days in Cherry and I want you to be my guide,” he says again, softer this time. His words are soft but there’s something serious behind them, but I’m not sure what.
He doesn’t put his cash away, and if I’m honest I need the money more than I need time by myself right now.
“I mean… if it’s for a few days…” I say, back peddling and glancing at the money.
“I’ll give you what you ask for, pay for any meals and expenses,” Kyle responds swiftly.
He sounds pleased with himself like he makes bigger deals than this before he has his boots on in the morning.
I’m already picturing him as some sort of finance guy. Or maybe the boss of a big company. Still not convinced he was straight up about what exactly it is he does for a living.
Maybe it is construction like he said after all…
“I actually don’t have anything going on for the next few days,” I confess, and Kyle moans with relief. Smiling wider as his eyes slide over my body again.
He’s not kidding either, I can tell.
But why would he want me as company… And in Cherry of all places?
“There’s nobody else either,” I add. Mumbling.
I don’t even know why I feel compelled to tell Kyle that of all things.
It’s not as if it’s his business.
Or is it.
A part of me does want him to know it’s just me though. Oh, and my mom but she doesn’t count when it comes to what he’s asking.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Kyle rumbles, looking intensely serious for a second, but his eyes soften as he explains, “It means I won’t be keeping you from anyone else. I can have you all to myself,” he says chuckling.
I look around, hoping nobody’s watching us, or worse, hearing our conversation.
Small towns have ears and all that stuff…
I haven’t forgotten that part of Cherry and I don’t want the local gossip mill to be the first thing Kyle experiences.
Although, he’s caused quite a stir in town already.
Within me anyhow.
“Maybe we could start by moving my car someplace a little more respectable?” he muses, noticing his car as if it’s the first time he’s seen it.
“That would be a good idea. We could start by going to the point… Err… I mean, the lookout.”
Idiot!
Nobody calls it the point unless they plan to make out up there.
And although Kyle Lundstrom is starting to look like a fish out of water, I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who uses words like ‘the point’ when he’s thinking about seeing the sights.
“The point it is,” he replies huskily, ominously, staring straight into my eyes, making my whole body shiver again.
God just his eyes on me cause a flood inside me.
Make me wet with just a glance.
Well, crud.
How on earth?
It feels like time stops, like the whole diner and the parking lot disappear and suddenly there’s nothing but Kyle and me.
His hand on my back, guides me to his car again, making me feel like a queen getting into her chariot.
“This is your car?” I ask when he opens the door to the tiny little hatchback.
He gives me a strange look then shakes his head.
“No, Uh… Mine’s in the shop, this is the loaner,” he says, while trying to fit his fingers between his head and the roof as he sits as low as he can.
It’s a funny sight, but his story doesn’t add up.
“Traveling cross country in a loaner that’s two sizes too small,” I remark, mostly to myself but he can hear me just fine.
He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something but thinks better of it.
“To the point,” he says instead, glancing sidelong at me while he finds the exit.
Encouraging me for directions once we reach the highway.
“Umm. It’s that way,” I tell him, then realize my blunder.
“I mean… That way,” I grimace, wondering how obvious it is I haven’t been to the point before. Even though I’ve lived here my whole life.
Kyle keeps an eye on the road the whole way, but he somehow always manages to catch my eyes watching him.
I should be nervous, even a little surprised at myself for getting into a car with someone I’ve just met.
But I just hope my mom didn’t see us leave together.
There’s something so safe about Kyle.
Something about just being near him that makes me feel more comfortable with him than I’ve ever felt with anyone else.
Including myself.