We stop beside a cherry-red MINI Cooper.

“What do you think of this? You’re in luck; it just got traded in yesterday. It got a full inspection already. It needs a few minor tune-ups, but it will be good to go in a week or so.”

I love it, but I’m not about to say that. “It could work. How much?”

Jay flips through some papers he’s holding. “We were going to list it at eleven thousand two hundred dollars. But I’d give you the friends and family discount—ten thousand five hundred.”

I glance at Gray, who gives me an encouraging nod. “Can I drive it?”

“Yep. Of course. Let me just grab the keys.”

I look back at Gray as soon as Jay disappears. “Seven hundred off for a stranger? This guy is legit, right?”

“You think I brought you to some black-market car lot?” He sounds more amused than offended.

“Of course not. I trust you.” The words slip out without me thinking about them, but they’re true. Especially because I didn’t have to think about them—at all. “I just…it’s weird, right?”

“He had a thing for you in high school.”

I look over my shoulder to make sure Jay isn’t in sight. He’s not. “He did?”

“Uh-huh.”

“But…it’s been years.” Not that I’m not in a position to judge the length of other people’s crushes. “He’s never even talked to me.”

Gray shrugs. “Noah warned him off.”

“Did he warn other guys off?” Did he warn you off?

Another shrug. “Probably.”

“Here you go.” Jay reappears with keys. “I realized I forgot to copy your license.”

“Oh.” I start digging through my bag.

“Don’t worry about it. I know where Phillips lives.” Jay laughs; Gray and I don’t.

“Okay.” I give Jay a tight, small smile before taking the keys from him and approaching the red car. I open the door and turn to Gray. “You coming?”

He eyes the small car. “I’m not sure if I’ll fit.”

“I thought you said you were up to the challenge?”

Gray’s eyes dart to me, shock mixing with the green. I smirk.

“I’ll, uh, I’ll be around when you get back.” Jay seems to have caught on to the subtext in this conversation.

I feel Gray’s gaze on me as I adjust the seat and start the engine. “What?”

“Nothing. Just…the minivan had better legroom.”

I laugh.

An hour later, a warm breeze fans across my face, sending strands of my blonde hair flying. I fling my hand out the open window, letting the air rush between my fingers as the sun warms the skin. There’s something about driving with the windows down on a summer day that soothes the soul.

It’s never felt quite this perfect, though.