Quarter Mile Hearts(4)

As soon as I’ve parked my bike off the road, I scan the crowd for Beth and Aaron since her bright red Honda stands out. Skirting around a couple of kitted-out Honda Civics, I weave through more cars and people, not stopping to check any of them out.

It may have been six months since I saw Beth, but she never changes. Petite with big brown eyes, a head full of natural bouncy blond curls, and a bubbly personality to match, she is the total opposite of me. As is the norm, she is wrapped in Aaron’s arms, and I can just make out her blond curls as he dips his head to her ear. If I know my cousin, he is no doubt whispering something inappropriate. Beth is transfixed and whatever he says brings color to her cheeks. As I thought, inappropriate.

Not sure how to announce my arrival, I hang back for a second longer, but her eyes drift over Aaron’s shoulder and grow wide with amazement. Aaron is shoved roughly out the way as she leaps off the hood of her car and covers the short distance in a few steps.

“Leigh,” she squeals, and Aaron turns, a smile forming on his face. “Why didn’t you tell us you were here?” My reply is muffled as she grabs me in a huge hug, which is hard as she is a good few inches shorter than I am. Another pair of arms wraps around us both as Aaron joins in the group hug, squeezing tightly and jumping on the spot so we are jostled about. Too much. I can’t breathe.

I extricate myself and sling one arm around Beth and the other around Aaron.

“I missed you guys.” And it’s the truth. A lump forms in my throat; I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed them until just now. A lifetime of shared memories exists between us. First loves, first kisses, first cars. Prom, graduation, and then, two years later, me leaving.

“Missed you too, cuz.” Aaron squeezes my shoulder and misses the eye roll I give him.

“When did you get here?” Beth asks, walking me over to her car.

“This afternoon. Stopped in to see Dad and then wanted to get out, see you guys.”

“You should have called as soon as you left the hospital.”

“No big deal. Besides, I had a feeling you would be here. Some things never change.” I wink at her. “It’s weird. I didn’t think I would miss this place, but now that I’m here, it’s like I never left.” Nostalgia creeps up on me but now’s not the time or the place to dwell on it. I want to catch up on what’s been happening with my best friend and my cousin.

“So, what’d I miss?” I look around, not registering the uncertain way they look at each other. Someone catches my eye and my heart flutters in my chest. What is going on in the downstairs department is a whole other matter.

Max Morgan.

The only man who can make my panties dampen instantly with a flash of his smile, a tilt of his head, or a crook of his finger. In fact, everything about that man screams wicked and bad but dammit if my body doesn’t react to that. Predictably, there are a number of girls with short-ass skirts on stroking his car. Floozies—every single one of them. Just before I can look away, he catches my eye. His eyes widen a fraction before his lips tip up into a lazy smile.

Fuck, why did he have to catch me looking?

His ego is big enough as it is; I don’t need him thinking that I’ve been staring at him.

“Eh, so Max is here…” Aaron stammers and Beth gives him a swift elbow to the ribs.

“So I see.” I turn around to give them my biggest do-I-look-like-I-give-a-shit smile and hope that I pull it off. I don’t even know if I can convince myself.

“Leigh,” Beth starts, but I shake my head, not quite sure what has come over me. I can be adult about this. Just because this man makes me want to drop my panties on sight doesn’t mean that I’m going to. I can behave in civilized company. Besides, they don’t know what went on between us the night before I left. No one does. Well, apart from him and me, that is.

“Be right back.” I hug her quickly and hear the sigh of defeat as she looks at Aaron for support but he just shrugs.

Weaving through even more cars, I finally stand at the front of Max Morgan’s Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The chatter stops and they all watch as I reach out and stroke a hand over the metal of the hood. It’s actually a pretty sweet car, if you like foreign cars, and I like the shade of blue. Max’s eyes rest on me as I sweep my eyes appraisingly over the bodywork.

“Nice,” I concede and nod my head slowly. “But you can’t beat a bit of American muscle.” I look pointedly at him and see the flash in his eyes as I taunt him. Knowing exactly which buttons to press to get a reaction, I’m satisfied that I’ve gotten a rise out of him. I cross my arms over my chest and wait.