Diner Girl(3)

“How do you know? I could spend my life getting in and out of guys’ cars, for all you know.”

He looked at her. She had a twinkle in her eye. Teasing. “Okay, okay. I just wanted to assure you that I’m a good guy, I swear. Besides, you’ve already seen me in my boxer shorts...I’m not sure how many ax murderers wear boxer shorts with ducks on them, but it has to be a pretty short list.”

She laughed. “They were pretty cute. Do you have a thing for ducks?”

“Yes,” he said, straight-faced. “I was raised by ducks.”

He looked over just in time to see her head lower, trying to hide her laughter. Or maybe she rolled her eyes at his attempt at humor. For ages, people had said he wasn’t funny. Maybe it was time to listen.

Pushing open the front door, he stepped through. Even though it’d been less than a half hour since he first let her in, the wind howled and snow left a steadily growing white layer on his car. He clicked off the car alarm.

“Here, let me get that.” He opened the passenger door.

The interior lights flashed on for a minute before the engine roared to life, but it was long enough for him to look at Jennifer again. With just a few more curves, she would be unbearably sexy. He shook his head at the thought and pulled out of the parking space.

The relief of not being recognized made him relax in a way he hadn’t for weeks. He’d gotten nothing but grief from everyone he knew about his status of “Most Eligible Bachelor.” Of course, it didn’t help that the nurses at the hospital had broadcast the news of his “award” over the PA system. His cell phone had rung nonstop ever since.

It was nice that at least one woman in this city wasn’t hounding him. Of course, who would recognize him in this part of town? They all expected him to be on the Northside, a glass of champagne in one hand and a beautiful woman clinging to the other. That wasn’t his style, though, and he felt grateful to escape it all, even if just for the weekend.

As heat filtered through the vents, Jennifer seemed to melt into the plush seat. Mark swerved the car and had to jerk it back into place when she let out a sensual-sounding moan. He glanced over to see her eyes closed. Swallowing thickly, he focused his own eyes back on the road, trying to think about anything but that moan. Pulmonary embolism. Aortic dissection. Those legs. Congestive heart failure. Cardiomyopathy. And that hair… Luckily, the drive was short. “We’re here.”

The diner windows were dark. Everyone was long gone. A stark expression crossed her face. A pained look, as if all her words had been erased.

“Doesn’t look like anyone’s here,” he said for her.

She shook her head.

“You don’t have a spare key anywhere?”

Again the head shake.

“Listen.” He softened his voice when she flinched. “Listen, why don’t you sleep at my place tonight? You can figure out what to do in the morning.”

The storm was growing in intensity. Snowflakes the size of quarters piled up on the windshield faster than his wiper blades could push them away. They swarmed the headlights as though pushed by an enormous fan.

“I can’t do that. It’s one thing for you to drive me to the diner, but I can’t stay at your place.”

“I don’t see any other choice. Your keys are in there.” He pointed to the building. “I could drive you to a motel if you want, but I doubt you have the money on you to pay for the room.”

She looked at him sharply.

Immediately he felt bad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” They sat in silence for a few moments. “Do you want me to drive you to a motel?”

“No, you’re right. I don’t have the money for a room.” She closed her eyes, pressing them hard with her fingertips as if to will this night away, and then she looked up. “Thank you for your offer.” Her voice sounded strangled.

He stared at her for another hard minute. Sprigs of hair curled at the nape of her neck, and her hands rested in her lap as if she didn’t have the energy to pick them back up. A glance at her skirt below the hem of the coat made him realize how tired and how very cold she must feel. It dawned on him that she probably wasn’t thin out of choice, and that worst of all she didn’t actually want his help. So different from anyone else he knew.

Mark’s protective instincts took over. She might not trust him, but at least for tonight he could provide a safe place for her to stay. Starting the car, he inched out of the parking lot. They didn’t speak during the ride. He glanced over at her from time to time at each red light, but she sat with her eyes closed.