* * *
The stroll back to Kyle's office building, where Ella parked her car, wasn't nearly as crazy or hectic as the walk to the restaurant. The city was still busy since it was a Friday evening, but the crowds had thinned out, and the people now driving on the roads didn't seem to be as aggressive as the ones who'd been anxious to get home after a stressful day at work. And she certainly didn't hate the fact that Kyle held her hand securely in his, even if it was just to keep her close so they didn't get separated. There was something incredibly sexy about a man who was inherently protective, and it was so damn easy to relax and trust him to keep her safe.
Even still, Ella was relieved when they finally arrived at her vehicle, which was one of only a few left in the parking structure. As they neared her older-model and practical Honda Accord, she disengaged the alarm and unlocked the door with her key fob. She turned to face Kyle, and he released her hand and pushed both of his into the front pockets of his jeans.
Her traitorous pulse hammered with anticipation as his gaze lowered to her lips, as if he was debating on whether or not he wanted another taste. Was he going to kiss her again? Did she want him to kiss her again? And what did it say about her that, yes, she'd eagerly welcome the press of his mouth against hers and the slow, deep slide of his tongue? She ached to feel his long fingers tangling in her hair and his hard body imprinting the length of hers.
The chemistry between them was silent but strong and undeniable. There was no doubt in her mind that they both felt it. Wanted to give in to it.
He lifted his gaze to her eyes again and gave her a smile that was both charming and sweet. He remained where he was standing a respectable distance away from her, his hands rooted firmly in those pockets. Despite the kiss they'd shared earlier, he was being a gentleman now, and a disappointed part of her understood. They'd be stupid to start something when there was clearly no way they could make things work between them again. There was too much history between them, too many miles separating them, and their lifestyles couldn't be any more opposite.
"I know you came to the city hoping to leave with a different answer about the property, but I'm really glad that you stayed and we had dinner together," he finally said, as if he'd come to the same conclusion about them that she had, which explained his polite behavior now.
She gave him a genuine smile. "Me, too."
"It really was great talking to you and getting caught up after all these years." He tipped his head to the side, his gaze optimistic. "I'd like to hope going forward we could be friends?"
"I'd like that," she agreed with a nod, stupidly wishing it could be more. But friends was certainly better than the adversaries they'd started out as at yesterday's auction. "I guess I'll be seeing you around, since you'll be working on the Piedmont building for a while?"
"Yes." He withdrew a hand from his pocket and absently rubbed his palm against the sexy scruff on his jaw. "I'll be there next weekend cleaning it out, and as soon as permits are approved, I'll get started on the renovations. I figure it'll take a few months to get the place done and ready to open."
There was no other reason to stall her time with Kyle, so she got into her car, put her key into the ignition, and rolled down her window. Before she left, there was one more thing she needed to say to him. "Thank you for taking care of me tonight and being patient with my earlier freak-out on the way to the restaurant." Without his understanding, that incident could have gone so much worse than it had.
"Anytime you're in the city, I'm your guy," he said with a playful wink.
She laughed and turned the key in the ignition to start her car. The engine turned over for a few seconds, then sputtered and died. She frowned and tried a second time, only for it to happen again. She gave it one more shot and absolutely nothing happened. What the hell?
With a sense of dread settling in her stomach, she glanced out the window to Kyle, whose brows were creased in concern. "Sounds like your fuel pump just failed."
She didn't know exactly what that meant, but it didn't sound good. "Are you serious?"
He gave her a sympathetic look. "That's my educated guess, judging by what I just heard."
She blinked at him. She had no idea what a failed fuel pump entailed. "And that means . . .?"
"Unfortunately, it's something that's going to have to be replaced." He glanced at the digital display on his phone. "Considering it's after nine and every auto shop in the city is closed for the night, it means you're going to have to wait until the morning to get it diagnosed and fixed."
She dropped her forehead to the steering wheel with a frustrated groan, unable to believe this was happening to her. She was stranded in the city for the night-and she had no idea how to handle the car situation. "What am I going to do?"