eyes away from him, I turn back to the officer. "Can I just pay the fine and be done?"
As I say it, I realize I don't have money for a fine. I could charge it, but I'm not sure that's allowed.
"Sorry, ma'am but that's not how it works. You'll need to show up in court and let the judge decide."
"Decide what? Isn't there a standard fine for littering? What if I go back right now and pick up the bottle?"
"You'll need to appear in court," he says, which I guess means picking up the bottle won't help me. "Any other questions?"
"I think we're good," Audi guy says, his eyes on me, that slight smile still on his face. I'm angry he answered for both of us and feel like I should ask another question just to prove to the guy I wasn't finished, but I can't think of anything to say.
"Have a nice day." The officer turns and walks back down the road, picking up the remaining pieces of paper and heading toward the water bottle that I know I didn't toss out the window. It must've fallen from my hand when I grabbed the steering wheel in an attempt to stay on the road after the paper flew on my windshield.
"Sorry about that," Audi guy says. "I was on a call with my boss and the papers were on the dash and next thing I knew they were—"
"I have to go," I say, walking back to my car.
"Anything I can do?" he yells from behind me.
"You've done enough!" I yell back.
I get in the car and immediately roll up the window so nothing else flies out. This is so ridiculous. Why couldn't I just go pick up the bottle? If I'd known it was there, I would have. I never litter. I always toss out my trash. I even toss out trash that's not mine. I'm the last person anyone would ever call a litterbug, and now here I am, getting ticketed for littering.
It's all because of that stupid guy. I know he said it was an accident but that doesn't mean I can't be angry about it. Or angry at him.
So much for a relaxing weekend. Maybe I'll feel better when I get to the inn.
Chapter Two
Sophie
The old man at the check-in desk smiles at me as I walk in. It's Tom, the owner. I remember him from last summer. He reminds me of my grandfather, who passed away a couple years ago. Tom is rounder around the middle and has more hair than gramps did, but he's got the same kind face and welcoming smile.
"Sophie Chambers," he says. "Good to see you back."
"You remember me?" I ask, shocked because he's probably had hundreds of guests since last summer.
"Of course. I remember all my guests."
"That's amazing." I set my bag down. "You even knew my name."
"It's on the reservation," he says, holding up a wide book with a red cover. There's no online reservations here. You have to call and actually talk to someone.
"It's still impressive you remembered me," I say, getting out my wallet.
He looks behind me. "You're not with Mr. Radcliff?"
I shake my head. "That ended a few days after we left."
He frowns. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It was for the best." I hand him my credit card. "We weren't a good match."
His brows rise. "Here with someone new?"
"No." I smile. "I'm single. My job keeps me busy. I don't really have time to date."
"There's always time for love," Tom says with a wink as he runs my credit card.
"If only I could find the right guy."
"There's plenty to choose from in a city the size of New York," a voice says from behind me.
I look over and see Audi guy coming up beside me, that sexy smile on his face, only now it's bigger, spreading up his handsome face and causing tiny creases to form on the sides of his eyes.
"Aiden," he says, coming up beside me. "From the road?"
"Yeah, I remember." Clearing my throat, I look back at Tom. "Are we good here?"
Tom squints as he looks at his reservation book. "I thought you said you were alone. Says here you're with someone named Manny?"
"Macie. My friend. She's on her way. She'll be here in a few hours."
He nods, handing me my credit card. "Let me get your key." He opens a cabinet behind the desk that holds keys hanging on tiny hooks. They don't have key cards here, just regular keys.