Gray lets out a combination of a laugh and a sigh. “Well, he went to high school with us. Now, he has a dealership just down the road. A new branch of his dad’s place. You should look there before buying this. It’s close by.”

“Why didn’t you say that from the start?”

“You said you wanted to come here,” he reminds me. “I’m just along for the ride. Literally.”

Steve is excited when we return the minivan without a scratch and full of praise for the reclining seats. He’s far less pleased when I mention I’ll have to think it over, handing me two copies of his business card, one “just in case” I lose the first.

Gray wasn’t downplaying the distance to the other dealership. It takes about three minutes to drive there. If I’d turned left instead of right on the test drive, we would have gone right past it.

I eye the rows of shiny cars with some trepidation. If the minivan was in my budget, I doubt any of these are. Gray is right; I could probably afford to get something nicer. But the only impulsive thing I’ve ever done in my life is…him. Gray grew up with money. My parents made smart financial decisions, but we never had extra money lying around. I invested in a high-paying career that would pay off my debt—eventually. But right now, I have a lot of it.

“Gray!” A guy who looks to be in his mid-twenties—Jay, I’m assuming—strolls toward us. “Man, it’s good to see you!”

“Hey, Jay,” Gray responds, doing that hug and back slap thing guys do.

“You’re not here to trade the Jeep in already, are you?”

“Nah, it still runs great.” He nods toward me. “You remember Evie Collins?”

Jay’s eyes widen as he looks at me, then glances at Gray. I feel like I might be missing something.

“Yes—yeah, of course. How have you been, Evie?”

“Not bad. You?”

“Good. You’re back in town?”

“Yeah, I just moved back to Charleston. Which is why we’re here. I need a car.”

Jay smiles. “Well, you’ve come to the right place.” He looks at Gray again. “Are you two…”

“No! He just gave me a ride.”

Gray smirks behind Jay’s back.

“A ride here,” I clarify.

I stick my tongue out at Gray when Jay turns away to study the row of cars, oblivious to the subtext.

“What are you looking for?” Jay asks me.

“Just a car to commute in. So, good gas mileage would be a plus, I guess.” I have nothing else to add to the list. My automotive knowledge could barely fill a pamphlet.

“Oh, where are you commuting to?”

“Charleston General.”

“Are you a nurse there?”

I decide I don’t like Jay all that much after the quick assumption. “Doctor, actually.”

“Wow. Impressive.”

“Thanks.”