Noah makes small talk on the drive. He hasn’t asked about Gray since he comforted me in his bedroom, after finding out about us. There’s really nothing left to say. I know he hasn’t taken my recent behavior as a sign things are going well between us. He never mentions Gray, but there’s worry etched on his face as he drops me off. I’m tempted to normalize things some, to ask if he’s still seeing the woman from his architecture firm, Megan, that he mentioned to me weeks ago. But I don’t. I’m worried it will lead to the inevitable question of when I’ll start dating, the one I have no answer for. Maybe I already should be. Simply pretending I’m fine hasn’t healed my heart much.

I should be exhausted when my shift ends at seven a.m. There was a five car pile-up on I-26 that kept me and the rest of the staff on call busy for most of the night. I’m not tired, though; I’m wired with restless energy. My feet drag as I cross the parking lot toward the bus stop, dreading returning home to Sloane’s sympathetic stares and a restless day’s sleep.

“Evie!” I focus my tired eyes on a black Volvo. The driver’s side window is down, and Ben is waving at me.

I walk over to him. “Hey.”

“You waiting for the bus?” He glances at the stop behind me.

“Yep.”

“Want a ride?” When I hesitate, he adds, “I was planning to stop at Frosted…”

Since an iced coffee and sugary doughnut sound like heaven right now, I agree. “That sounds great. Thanks.”

I round the front of the car and climb into the passenger seat. The air-conditioning feels heavenly. Summer’s full wrath is upon us. Even at this early hour, the heat is intense.

“Something wrong with your car?” Ben asks as he starts driving.

“More the lack of one that’s an issue,” I reply.

“Weren’t you driving that Jeep?” As if realizing how that sounded, he quickly adds, “Not a stalker. I promise.”

I laugh. “Um, yeah. I was. The Jeep’s owner and I have…parted ways.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.”

We chat idly after that, Ben making an obvious effort to lighten the mood following my admission. He also holds the door for me and pays for my breakfast, reminding me of Rose’s comments a few weeks ago.