It was possible that he released them in a totally normal way and I was overreacting. It’s just…it had felt really nice and I didn’t want him to stop. “I think you’ve done plenty, thanks.” When he winced, I closed my eyes and let out a breath, reminding myself that I was a grown-up, which was always kind of the worst, but I needed to act like it anyway. “That came out grouchier than I wanted.”

He nodded, standing up and shoving his hands into the pockets of his hooded sweatshirt. “Won’t start?”

When I shook my head, he jogged over to his SUV and dug out his jumper cables. Which ended up doing absolutely nothing at all.

Motherfucker. I climbed out and slammed the door, resisting the urge to kick it.

He gathered up the cables and slammed his hood before tossing them into the back of his SUV.

“And now I’m going to have to get it towed to the mechanic and be late for dinner.” I pulled out my phone. “And she is going to do some hardcore gloating.”

“Your mechanic?” His brows furrowed. “Why would your mechanic gloat?”

“Because my mechanic is also my mother and she told me to bring it in two weeks ago to get it looked at and I didn’t.” I flipped through my contacts. “She won’t say ‘I told you so,’ but she will laugh hysterically, which is kind of worse.”

“Ah.” He looked down the street for a second, rocking back on his heels. “I can give you a ride.”

I glanced up from my screen to see if he was serious. He looked a little nervous and sweaty, but serious. There was nothing on this planet that made a woman feel more desirable than being able to make an attractive man break into a flop sweat. “I could call a ride or something.” I’d be a little late, but I’d get there. My stomach grumbled, telling me it didn’t like the idea of being late.

“I wouldn’t offer if it was a problem,” he said, digging his hands into his pockets.

I chewed on my lip, thinking. If this had been anyone else in our house, I wouldn’t think twice. I’d jump in and put off the tow until tomorrow. But Declan…was still sweating, but the determined set of his jaw told me he wanted to do this for me.

I pointed my phone at him. “I should say no, because you’re obviously offering under duress, but I’m hungry enough to not care.” I waved at him. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Eight

Declan

I’d been worried about getting into the car with Lou. We’d been doing well in the house, but in the house, I could leave. It was a little harder leaving a moving vehicle. Not impossible, but not always wise. On top of that, the SUV was a small, enclosed space. She’d be right next to me the entire time. I wouldn’t be able to ignore her.