“One problem,” I groan. “Jake picked you up at the airport, too, right? That means he’s the only one with a car here.”

Rhett’s eyes grow wide as the realization sinks in.

“Will you ask him for me?” I beg, my hands held together in prayer with my lower lip turned out in a pout.

He shakes his head and laughs, but I know I’ve got him. “Only because I love you.” He ruffles my hair. “And I really do want you to be happy.”

53. Maddie

Chapter 53

Maddie

The only thing more nerve-racking than asking Jake if I can borrow his car is driving the thing on the Ohio turnpike in the pouring rain. At least the self-driving technology is there to keep me company. Especially since Jake only listens to emo music from the 90s and early 2000s and I’m too scared to mess with his presets.

I ease into their driveway unannounced, entering the security code and hoping it still works.

It does, and the gates swing open as I pull up close to the garage. All the garage bay doors are closed, so I make a split-second decision to run to the front and knock.

He must have seen me coming on the security cameras, because within five seconds, the door swings open, and there he is.

I scan up and down his body and have to hold back a squeal as all my favorite features register in my brain. Six foot two. Gorgeous blond hair and crystal-clear blue eyes I want to get lost in forever. Lean, tanned forearms. Veins for fucking days.

I’m about to make a running leap for him, Dirty Dancing-style, but then he smiles, and baby’s right back in her corner. It’s a megawatt smile that transforms his whole face. At that exact moment, I know.

Even at his happiest, Dempsey never smiles quite that big.

“Is he here?” I pant, the adrenaline and the rain blending together and making me feel frantic. I’m standing on the covered porch, but I’m already drenched from running to the front door.

Fielding gives me a knowing look, then smirks before responding. “He’s not here.”

“When do you expect him home?” I ask as I pull out my phone to check how much time is left until last call at The Oak.

“I don’t. He’s not in Hampton. He went on a trip.”

I almost drop my phone on the stone patio as that revelation sinks in.

He’s not here. He’s not in Hampton at all. He’s out of town—on a trip.

Did he go to New York? Did he go back to her?