side of the one we’re expanding into next door will close down soon and we can expand even further. Good chance they might. They keep getting locked out by the landlord for not paying their rent.”
“Oh wow.” No surprise Dani walked around the old convertible he’d seen her eyeing earlier. “I like this one. It reminds me of something out of a romantic movie that takes place back in the day.” She pointed at him, smiling as if it suddenly came to her. “The Notebook. I have no idea what kind of car it was, but it looks like this one.”
“Never seen the movie, but this is a classic. Nineteen forty-one Lincoln Continental.” He told her a little more about the car’s history and such before opening the door for her. “Have a seat.”
She turned to him before getting in. “You’ve really never seen The Notebook?”
Orlando chuckled. Was that really all she’d taken in about his explanation of the car and its history? “No, I haven’t. Never really been much of a movie buff and especially not romances.”
“But it’s so good,” she said as she got in behind the wheel. Orlando closed the door and started around the car. “Now that’s a classic, if you ask any movie enthusiasts. So, sad too.” She pouted, making Orlando smile as he got in on the passenger’s side. Taking advantage of the bench seating, he slid in a little closer than he would’ve had they been in a car with bucket seats. “I’ll admit I ugly cried the first time I saw it. But I’ve watched it many times since.”
Too many times now he’d been so tempted to just go for it. Just taste those sweet lips already, and sitting this close, he knew the danger of giving into the temptation would be too much. Still, he couldn’t help himself as their eyes locked once again. He couldn’t be sure, but each time this happened, he got the feeling, if he did go for it, she’d be all for it, especially when those big beautiful eyes dropped to his lips as they were doing now. “I’ll have to check out the movie one of these days then,” he whispered, leaning in.
The car’s horn honked loudly, startling them both, and they flinched out of the moment. She brought her hand to her mouth, looking down at her other hand that had inadvertently honked the horn. Appearing embarrassed but at the same time smiling, she turned to Orlando. “Oops. I’ve never been very good behind the wheel,” she explained. “I don’t think I’m that bad, but my sister never lets me drive when we go anywhere together.” She giggled now. “She calls me Mrs. Magoo and can’t believe I passed my driver’s test.”
Orlando chuckled, remembering the times she’d knocked over his trashcans, backing out of his driveway and the time she’d parked on his flower bed and didn’t even notice. Orlando had thought those were just flukes. Now he had to wonder if that accident she’d been in had anything to do with her being under the influence or if she was just that bad a driver. She did say she was just above the legal limit and had passed the sobriety test.
Danica’s attention went back to the car’s interior. Even Orlando hadn’t had a chance to check the car out in detail since it’d just gotten in. He explained what everything was for as he himself took everything in. It was in awesome condition already but did need some work. “The walnut wood trim wasn’t added until nineteen forty-seven. It’s one of the main things we’ll be adding to it all around the inside. That and adding newer shinier knobs and such.” He reached out to touch one of the knobs on the dash just as she reached out too, and their hands grazed. Once again Orlando turned to her, their faces close enough to kiss, and he was going for it this time. She even licked her lips as her eyes dropped to his.
“Hey, I was supposed to be the first one to sit in this bad boy,” Nine said, walking up from behind the car with Byron. Motherfucker!
Orlando let his head fall back against the head rest as Nine reached the passenger’s side and Dani opened the door. “Nah, you’re good.” Nine smiled. “I’m just messing with you.”
“I should probably get back to relieve Alonso anyway,” Dani said, starting out of the car.
“I’ll walk back with you,” Orlando said, not wanting her